Will Marquess, longtime teacher at Saint Michael’s College, died peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2020. He was a devoted friend, beloved teacher and colleague, and loving brother and son. He tended all of his relationships with care and generosity, and brought thoughtful attention to his interactions in and outside the classroom. His friends, students and colleagues became like family to him. His wit and whimsy delighted us.
He leaves no progeny but a line of students who, he hopes, will love language as he ever did. He is survived by his mother, Jane Newton Marquess; his sister, Anne Marquess Camp, and her family; his brother Jack Marquess and his family; the family of his late brother, David Reese Marquess; and his dearest friends Joel Dando and Emily Skoler. He adored them all.
He expressed deep gratitude for the care he received from Dr. Caroline Slimovitch, the staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and the UVM Home Health Care organization. Special thanks to Dr. Farrah Khan and nurse practitioner Janet Ely, who offered him extraordinary human and medical care for 10 years.
We hope it will be possible to hold a memorial this fall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the general fund of Saint Michael’s College.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2020.
Will was the sweetest and wisest man I’ve met in years. We were blessed to have him in our group at the Burlington Writers’ Workshop, which I’ve attended for the last year or two. He is missed by all.
Rest easy, friend. Mimsy were the borogoves.