Marie E. Reese

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marie Ellen Reese (née Driscoll) at the age of 78. She died peacefully on July 16, 2025.
Marie was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, in-law, and friend.
Born on January 6, 1947, in Binghamton, New York, to the late Richard and Helen Driscoll, Marie grew up in Whitney Point and graduated from the Whitney Point School District. She then attended Syracuse University, where she earned her degree in education.
Marie's professional career as a teacher was truly unmatched. She dedicated herself to teaching 8th grade Earth Science at Susquehanna Valley School District from 1969 until her retirement in 2002. She was a beloved mentor to generations of students—some of whom followed in her footsteps to become educators themselves, citing her as a powerful influence on their lives.
Marie first spied her future husband sitting in the corner of the Whitney Point Diner, and she instantly knew he was the one. Ben and Marie married in 1968 and were inseparable until his passing in 2016. Ben famously insisted on taking Marie out to dinner nearly every night—claiming that no bride of his should be stuck cooking after a long day of teaching. Their shared life was filled with love, laughter, movie outings and their beloved Friday breakfast club with their dearest friends.
Marie was an avid snow skier, water skier, and golfer. During the summer, she could often be found on the greens of Ford Hill Country Club in Whitney Point, a course built by her parents in the 1950s, golfing alongside Ben or her sister-in-law Gwen (“sister of her heart”). They also spent several joyful years as snowbirds in Stuart, Florida, enjoying their favorite pastime together—golf.
She is predeceased by her husband Ben Reese and her brother Thomas Driscoll and nephews Christopher and Colin Reese. She is survived by her brothers Daniel and Michael Driscoll; brother-in-law Wayne (Judy) Reese; sisters-in-law Gwen Reese and Melody (Pat) Bernardo; niece Hillary (Jay) Lang; niece Laura Cioni; nephew Eric (Chiny) Driscoll; nephew Ben (Lori) Driscoll; and many grandnieces and grandnephews who loved their Aunt Marie and her famous mac and cheese.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Marie’s caregivers in New York and Pennsylvania who loved her dearly.
Funeral Services for Marie will be held Tuesday, July 22nd at 12:30 pm at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. Entombment will be held in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the Allen Memorial Home from 11:30 am until service time at 12:30 pm.
Marie’s warmth, quick wit, and unfailing positivity touched everyone she encountered. Her legacy as a devoted teacher, loyal friend, and loving family member will continue to inspire all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Marie’s honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in New York City.