Marie Duermit

Marie Anne van Lierop Duermit, 97, Dallas, PA passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Pickering Manor, Newtown, PA. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Hendrik B. J. van Lierop and Anna Koppenaal van Lierop.

Marie’s career started during World War II in the Accounting Department at Bell Telephone in Cincinnati where she worked for twelve years before starting her family.  Once her children were in high school, Marie resumed her career with various retail sales and administrative positions in northeastern PA at Ye Olde Clock Shoppe, Classic Collections, and medical practice.  She and husband Donald then purchased R.B. White Hardware in Ashley, PA from where they both retired.

While working at Bell Telephone, Marie desired to extensively travel to post World War II Holland and other European countries, risking her position in order to connect with family and establish new friendships. This was a life-changing adventure for a single woman travelling unaccompanied.  Upon her return, she successfully lobbied to keep her work position, ultimately being praised for her courage.  Shortly thereafter, she met the man of her dreams to begin a wonderful new journey with Don.

Marie was a nurturing, caring and loving mother and wife.  She encouraged and supported her husband and children through the family’s many moves to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and back to Pennsylvania.  Her positive outlook helped us all adjust and thrive in our new communities.  She was active in Parent Teacher Organizations, Newcomers Club, Welcome Wagon and most significantly and recently at Shavertown United Methodist Church.

Marie had a life-long interest in music.  She and her two sisters sang in a harmony trio, creating many fond memories.  As a young girl, she performed solo tap dancing at music festivals, sometimes in wooden shoes, celebrating her proud Dutch heritage.  She and Don were also avid swing dancing partners during the big band era.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years Donald J. Duermit, brother John van Lierop, sisters Martha de Dreu and Janet Caverly, and granddaughter Kristina Leigh Duermit.

Surviving are her daughter Shauna Duermit Pearsall and her husband Adrian James, son Kevin Donald Duermit and his wife Vernanne Lord, grandchildren, Adrian Ross Pearsall and his wife Holly (Brockway), Stuart Donald Pearsall and his wife Jennifer (Brennan), Deanna Katherine (Duermit) Larson and her husband Nathan, Hilary Nicole Pearsall, Benjamin Kevin Duermit and his wife Natalie (Potts), great grandchildren Lia Marie Pearsall, Adrian Merric Pearsall, and Patrick Benjamin Duermit, and her faithful rescue dog Cookie.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 1:00 PM from The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, Inc., 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas with The Rev. Jon  Buxton, pastor of The Shavertown United Methodist Church, officiating. Friends may call Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of service. Interment will take place at Forty Fort Cemetery following the funeral services.  Donation in Marie’s memory may be made to, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, c/o 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA. 18612 or to The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. On line condolences may be sent to Disquefuneralhome.com