Marla Mazar-Carr, an accomplished painter, teacher, herbalist and resident of Saint George, Maine, passed away peacefully on Sept. 3, 2020 at the age of 67, just days after receiving a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.
Marla is survived by John Fred Carr, her husband of 25 years, her stepson Fred Carr, his wife Deirdre Rogers, grandson Declan Carr, stepdaughter Melissa Carr, her husband Matthew Simoneau, and her cousin Jean Barry.
She was preceded in death by her father Joseph Mazar, mother Rose Mazar, and
sister Laurie Mazar.
Marla was born in Euclid, Ohio on March 7, 1953. She received a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in painting, art history and film animation from San Francisco State University, and received a Master’s of Science in Education from State University of New York, Oneonta, specializing in literacy education.
An accomplished educator and passionate advocate for disadvantaged youth, Marla was both an art teacher and reading specialist at the Kingshill School in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, where her reverence and respect for and impact on the youth she taught can be seen throughout her St. George, Maine house in the framed art and poems sent to her from her former students over the years. Previously, she worked for years providing social support, inspiration, motivation, and mentorship for her students while working for child protective services in upstate New York.
An accomplished artist, Marla explored various mediums throughout her life, from textiles to documentary filmmaking, and held a number of shows at various galleries from coast to coast. Her latest works were highly detailed plant portraits in pencil, paralleling her passions for the natural world and medicinal plants.
Marla gained inspiration for her art and teaching through the natural world, and inspired youth through mentorship, modeling her own relentless awe and appreciation for life, and for the pursuit of social justice. She was a lifelong traveler and learner.
Marla was loving, kind, curious, wise, generous, and fun. She will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved her. She had much to be proud of and leaves behind a legacy of art, herbs and love. She will be dearly missed.
You are needed.
The flowers and trees, even the hidden
Will need your help and support.
Remind the world of the word-less center,
So beautiful and important,
That no one touches much anymore.
Open your eyes
Look-
See the nature of all living things
As precious as your own.
Look within-
The flowers are mirrors.
As is the starry night and
The deep, black pond
Of your spirit.
Pierce the heart of love
Let it out
Taste it
Eat it
Give it back to the world.
Warm darkness of life and death
A circle of all the universe.
-mmc
Due to current events, a celebration of her life will be held at a future date.
