Marianne O'Quinn was an inspired and inspiring educator and mentor who worked for 27 years as a teacher and later as a vice-principal. When she was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000, she received a living donor transplant from her brother Bill. As a Donate Life Ambassador, Marianne brought the same dedication she exhibited in the classroom to her efforts to inspire the community to support organ donation. Marianne said, "When you talk with other people, you can connect." Marianne died on June 4, 2013 after a fall at home. She continued to serve others with the donation of her lungs, liver and corneas.

Marianne's Story

Marianne Cordova Martinez O'Quinn grew up in Lynwood on south Los Angeles County. She met her husband Jerry in 1977 and they married six years later. In 1990, their beloved daughter Kelly was born.

In 2000, Marianne consulted with her doctor about her chronic fatigue and rapid hearing loss. She was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of kidney disease. She was soon placed on the transplant waiting list, and was fortunate to receive living donor kidney transplant from her brother Bill in 2001. Marianne and Jerry had already signed DMV donor cards but never realized how personal donation would become.

Marianne received her bachelor and master's degrees in the field of education, and worked for 27 years, first as a teacher and then as a vice-principal. She was an inspired and inspiring educator and mentor. After her kidney transplant, she became a Donate Life Ambassador and brought the same dedication she exhibited in the classroom to her efforts to inspire the community to support organ donation. Marianne said, "When you talk with other people, you can connect." She was a familiar and welcome face at many events and volunteered on the Donate Life float, as well.

Marianne continued to have health problems the rest of her life. Her hearing loss worsened and she developed macular degeneration as well as drug-induced diabetes. Throughout 2011, Marianne dealt with rejection issues and then suffered an ischemic stroke in Jan. 2013.

Having friends, enjoying family and bringing happiness to others were her passions throughout her life. Marianne loved maintaining friendships and adding to her circle of friends. Kelly said that the important lessons she saw her mother model her whole life were to "have fun regardless of what troubles you may be experiencing, enjoy the life you've been given, and help bring joy to others."

Marianne died on June 4, 2013, at the age of 52 as a result of an accidental fall at home. She continued to give, serve and connect with the donation of her lungs, liver and corneas.