Jean Victoria Marani

Jean Victoria Marani, 96, of Tallahassee passed from this life to the next on Sunday, December 27, 2020. Born in 1924, she was the daughter of Virgil and Hazel Marani. As a small child, she and her mother moved from Ohio to Sarasota where she grew up. Jean was a graduate of Sarasota High School (1942), the Florida State College for Women (1946, its last year before becoming FSU), and she later earned her Ph.D. at Ohio State University. For many years Dr. Marani taught social studies at Riverview High School in Sarasota. In 1962, she was selected as Florida's Teacher of the Year, and as a finalist for National Teacher of the Year. In 1970 she moved to Tallahassee, where she worked as an educational curriculum consultant at the Department of Education. In retirement, Jean enjoyed photography and was active in her churches, Advent Episcopal Church and later Holy Cross Anglican Church. During this time, she was engaged in the religious orders of the Daughters of the King and later the Daughters of the Holy Cross. In her later years, she liked to credit Tai Chi exercise for keeping her young. 

She is survived by her devoted son, Bruce Graetz, and cousins from the Trottnow and Chmielewski families in Cleveland. The family wishes to thank her long-time caregivers Julia Williams and Kathy Crawford. 

Interment will be at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name can be made to All Saints Anglican Church or to a charity of your choice. 

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