Marie Deans Obituary

Marie McFadden Deans CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Marie McFadden Deans, 70, passed away on Friday, April 15, at Hospice House of Charlottesville, VA. Born in Charleston, SC, to Eva Alice Jackson and Joel Ellis McFadden II, she had been a resident of Richmond, VA and late of Charlottesville, VA. Following the murder of her mother-in-law, Deans was so disturbed by the idea of the murderer's execution that she began a lifelong quest to abolish the death penalty and to advocate for the rights of death row inmates. She led the local chapter of Amnesty International, founded Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation, founded the Virginia Coalition on Jails and Prisons, and worked to help bring justice and basic human rights to more than 200 inmates. She was present at more than 30 executions. She is survived by her two children, Joel Ellis McFadden III of Red Bank, NJ, and Robert J. Deans of Alexandria, VA, and by three grandchildren, William McFadden, Margaret McFadden and Samantha Deans. Visitation will be held at Hill & Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville on Sunday, May 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Saint Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville on May 1 at 1:30 p.m., with a reception to follow at the church until 4:30 p.m. Interment will be at the old McFadden family cemetery in Gable, SC, with a private family celebration of her life to be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Marie's name to Death Penalty Focus (http://www.deathpenalty.org) or a local charity of your choice. For more information contact Hill & Wood Funeral Home. Many of you are familiar with the close bond Marie had with Joe Giarratano. Joe was spared the death penalty in 1991, due to the tireless efforts of Marie. They remained extremely close and Marie would be most appreciative if Joe received letters of support and condolence as he is still confined in prison. Joseph Giarratano, #1027820, Wallens Ridge State Prison, PO Box 759, Big Stone Gap, VA, 24219. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths