Marinell Maxine Degenhardt

Marinell Degenhardt passed away in the arms of her husband Gary on the morning of Wednesday, August 2nd 2023. After a two year battle she joins her father Dr. Max Swartz in heaven. In addition to her husband of 44 years, Marinell is survived by her daughters Rachel (Michael) Karpovich, Deidre Goodhue and Eva Degenhardt; her beloved grandchildren Asten James Goodhue, Maeve Aelish Karpovich and Seamus Finn Karpovich; her mother Kathleen Swartz and her siblings Dr. Kevin (Amy) Swartz, Andrew (Shaun) Swartz, Claudia (Larry) Johnson, and Matthew Swartz . Marinell will be remembered for many things but being a mother was her greatest calling. She made it her life’s work to ensure her family’s safety, comfort and wellbeing. We will miss many things about her including her contagious laugh, her impeccable style, her cooking, and how she always smelled of roses. She could make any outing an event, enjoyed the art of listening and storytelling, and was the ultimate dinner companion. She was an avid reader, Birkenstock sandal collector, expert in all things James Taylor and had the softest hands anyone ever felt. When her body betrayed her, her hands remained those of a teenager. A Registered Nurse and caretaker to her core she took great pride in her commitment to her family. Her family takes great pride in being able to return the favor in these final two years. The undisputed heart and soul of our family, her absence will be felt for the remainder of our time here on earth. She returns to her hometown of Sulphur, Oklahoma where she will be laid to rest amongst her loved ones. To the one we all loved dearly, thank you for the love, the laughs, the hugs and most of all thank you for teaching us all to be something. Every minute of every hour of our lives. “Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost.” ― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Viewing will be held from 1:00pm to 7:00pm Sunday August 13, 2023 at DeArman Funeral Home in Sulphur. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Monday August 14, 2023 at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sulphur. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home ,

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Marinell Maxine Degenhardt

April 14, 1956 - August 2, 2023