Marie Louise Cochrane

Marie Louise Cochrane died peacefully on November 17, 2023, just shy of her 96^th birthday.  She led a long, full life and is now in a better place.  We will miss her smile and cheery demeanor!

Marie was born in Philadelphia, PA to Harold P. Mueller and Mary C. Mueller (Fischer) in 1927 as the middle child with older brother Harold “Buck” and younger brother John.  She grew up in Jenkintown, PA.  Her nickname was “Sis” and she played on the Varsity Field Hockey Team.

“Jenks” went to Purdue University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology.  She met her husband, John D. Cochrane III (Jack), on the tennis courts at Purdue.  They married on June 30, 1951, and were married for 65 years when Jack passed away in 2017. 

They lived in Metuchen, NJ where son John D. Cochrane IV was born in 1953.  Sisters Barb Cochrane Wenger (1955) and Mary Ann Gardner (1957) entered the picture forcing a move to a bigger house in Fair Haven, NJ.  Jack’s work with Hercules Powder Co and Hoover Ball & Bearing in early plastic industry sales took the family to Birmingham MI, Wheaton IL and to Ann Arbor MI.  They built their family home in Ann Arbor in 1965 and were blessed to have amazing neighbors and friends for 50 years.  Starting in 1960, the family made weekend trips to Clear Lake in Indiana to enjoy sailing, water skiing and swimming fun. 

Marie worked for the Institute of Michigan Fisheries before becoming a successful Real Estate agent.  No one worked harder for her customers!

Mom Marie was the ultimate cheerleader for her kids.  “River Rats, River Rats, Clap, Clap, Clap” was the cheer for the State High School Swimming Champion John.  Victory brownies were baked for Barb and Mary Ann’s Field Hockey, Volleyball, Softball and Basketball games.  Marie created intricate costumes for Ann Arbor Figure Skating Shows.  The white Plymouth station wagon with fins had lots of “carting kids around” miles!

Marie influenced the lives of numerous girls in her many years as a Girl Scout Leader.  Troop activities included weekly meetings, camping trips and adventurous hikes.

She loved to garden and was a leader in the Ann Arbor Garden Club. She created fantastic, unique floral arrangements.  She hosted several garden tours in her yard and organized groups to tour other notable gardens.  Marie loved to play Bridge that was supplemented with food, carrot cake and laughter. 

Marie loved her 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and enjoyed spoiling them rotten!  She was able to visit them at Clear Lake in Indiana and on family vacations around the world.

Jack and Marie wintered many years in the Jacksonville, FL area with their daughter Barb and in 2015, they moved to Fleet Landing, a continuing care retirement community.  Marie and Jack started in Fleet Landing Independent Living, Marie moved to Leeward Manor Assisted Living in 2017 (coincidentally the week Jack died), migrated to Nancy House Memory Care and had several short stints in the Skilled Nursing Rehab Facility.  We are so grateful to the Fleet Landing Staff for their consistent loving care for Marie.

This year would have been their 64th year of consecutive Christmas Photo Greeting card/letters.  Sadly, this year will be the last to share the news of Marie’s passing.  She will be missed!

Marie is survived by her children (and spouses):  John D Cochrane IV (Tammy) of Hiram OH, Barb Wenger (Klaus - deceased) of Ponte Vedra Beach FL, Mary Ann Gardner (Mark) of Dunwoody GA, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Several beloved dachshunds predeceased Marie, most recently Trina.

Marie’s body will be cremated, and ashes spread in places that were special in her life.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marie’s name may be made to:

·         Naval Continuing Care Retirement Community dba: Fleet Landing, 1 Fleet Landing Blvd., Atlantic Beach, FL 32233.  Federal tax ID number: 59-2708341.  Kathy Desiena at 904.246.9900 ext. 1403 or kdesiena@fleetlanding.com Put “Nancy House Resident Activity Fund” in memo line.

·         The Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy at 111 Gecowets Drive – Clear Lake, Fremont, IN 46737   Federal tax ID number: 35-1835491.  https://clearlakeconservancy.org/donate  Tracy Hughes (260) 527-1072  tracy.hughes@clearlakeconservancy.org  Put “Marie Cochrane - Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan (AVMP)” in memo line.