Marianne Elizabeth Decrane-Brent

Marianne DeCrane-Brent, age 57, passed away on July 26, 2023 after a two-year battle with cancer. She fought the disease with unparalleled strength, dignity, and grace. Born in Findlay, Ohio, Marianne graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School, McAuley High School, Bowling Green State University (Bachelor's Degree in Special Education) and Holy Names College (Master of Education). Early in her career she taught at Northwood Elementary (Northwood, OH), Schafer Park Elementary (Hayward, CA), St. Anthony's Elementary (Oakland, CA) and Raskob Day School (Oakland, CA).

For the past 20 years, Marianne worked in private practice as an Educational Therapist in Lafayette, CA. Her clients ranged in age from elementary school through college. Many students progressed with Marianne for over a decade. Working one on one with her students brought out the best in Marianne and she taught all as if they were her own. Marianne's dedication to and impact on children's development went beyond her professional life as shown by her unconditional love for her own two boys, Isaac and Eli.

With the goal of staying involved in the development of her sons, Marianne was a volunteer teacher of Faith Formation at St. Perpetua Catholic Church. She also volunteered service in BSA Cub Scouts for troop 220 and then troop 200 for ten years and her leadership earned her the designation of Assistant Scoutmaster. She thoroughly enjoyed co-leading summer camps and consulted at the district level.

In 1993, Marianne married the love of her life, Tim Brent, and together they raised Isaac and Eli in their beloved community of Lafayette, California. Tim and Marianne would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on July 31, 2023.

Marianne was passionately faithful to her family, friends and students and was a wonderful listener and advisor to many. All were welcomed with open arms in the Brent home. She laughed easily and found the greatest peace in her garden listening to music, reading, planting herbs and flowers, visiting with friends and enjoying the birds that came to visit her feeders. Her positive outlook on life made her a blessing and inspiration and as a result she was widely loved.

The Bruns House in Alamo, CA provided inpatient hospice care for Marianne during her last few days of her life. The specialized care she received was beyond measure and greatly appreciated by her family and friends.

Marianne is survived by her husband Tim, her two sons, Isaac (22) and Eli (18), sister Melissa Kissner (husband Joe), brother Craig DeCrane (wife LeeAnn) and brother-in-law John Brent (wife Cheri). She is preceded in death by her parents Victor and Helen DeCrane and niece, Alison Tinnes.

A Memorial Celebration of Life for Marianne will be held in Lafayette, CA.
Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Place: Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Address: 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, CA 94549 (ph # 925-283-3722)

Remembrances and kind thoughts can be posted via this link:
TraditionCare.com

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any considerations to Marianne be made to the
GoFundMe Campaign that friends have set up for the Brent Family.
The link is: https://gofund.me/1ea863da

Meal Train: For updates on ways to help the family with dinners, meal delivery system 'Blue Apron' and Grocery Cards, please go to the Meal Train link: https://mealtrain.com/ly7r7m . Your kindness is greatly appreciated at this time as the family grieves, heals and constructs a new life.