Obituary of Marie A. Muñoz

Marie Antoinette Muñoz passed away on August 18, 2020. She was the devoted mother of Jazmin Lopez and cherished grandmother to Santana Lamb. She is survived by her adoring parents, Juan Luis and Adanivia Muñoz, beloved sister, Jennifer Aponte, niece and nephew, Kamara and Khalil, and ex-husband and father of her daughter, Raymond Lopez. She was adored by countless loving cousins, friends, colleagues, students and school community members. A proud Brooklyn native, Marie was born in 1967 in Kings County Hospital and raised in Bushwick by her parents. She shared an especially close relationship with her father, a hard worker, photography enthusiast and owner of a candy store that was home to many fond memories for Marie. As a child, Marie was a warmhearted and good-natured young woman who liked to play outside with her cousins and neighborhood friends. A protective big sister, her younger brother, Louie was always by her side and she relished "dressing up" her little sister, Jenny. Marie was intelligent, driven and a natural leader destined for a career in education and service. She graduated from Norman Thomas High School in 1985. She started her career with the New York City Department of Education in 1988. She held several positions in Brooklyn public schools, working her way up from paraprofessional to classroom teacher, instructional coach and Assistant Principal in P.S. 133, P.S. 20 and P.S. 67. With a deep passion and ambition for teaching and learning, Marie furthered her education at Hunter College and graduated from Medgar Evers College with a Bachelor's degree in 1994. She later received advanced degrees from the College of Staten Island and Fordham University. She culminated her 32-year long career with the DOE as Principal of P.S. 20 in Staten Island, after having served as leader there since 2005. Marie was extremely family-oriented and valued all children. She deeply prided herself on being a mother, a grandmother, and most recently an aunt. She shared a very special bond with her grandson, Santana, whom she praised at any opportunity. Marie believed that all children could learn and be successful with a balance of love, care and support from the school community. She instilled and promoted a sense of family and belonging in her school, local community and beyond. She loved to cook and host her family and friends, ensuring that all felt welcome in her home. She was a generous spirit and tried to help those close to her with whatever she could. Marie impacted so many individuals whom she came across in life, whether as a mother, grandmother, relative, friend, colleague or educator. Her legacy will live on, not only in our memories and hearts, but in a scholarship fund created in her honor at P.S. 20 in Staten Island. Family and friends may visit on Saturday, August 29 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Due to the current health crisis, all visitors must wear a mask. Additionally, the number of visitors into the funeral home is limited; please be respectful of this limited capacity so that all may have a chance to pay their respects. If you would like to contribute to the P.S. 20 scholarship fund in memory of Marie, please contact the family for donation details.