Spirit of Addy lights the way at Paradise Intermediate

By Mark Squibb

Staff at Paradise Intermediate have christened one of the schools’ main thoroughfares Addy’s Way in memory of former student Addyson Marrie, who passed away in January 2024 at the age of 14.
“Addy was a light, a bright, spunky, unstoppable light,” said Principal Stephanie Snow at a special ceremony held last month. “She had this magical ability to wrap people around her tiny finger and capture the hearts of just about anyone she met.”
Staff had brainstormed many different names, but once Addy’s Way was suggested, it seemed the only choice.
“The name was so fitting, and so meaningful, because it wasn’t just about the direction she walked, it was how she moved through life, with grace, determination, just a dash of sass, and a whole lot of love,” said Snow. “And as our students and staff here at Paradise Intermediate walk these halls, we want them to remember to walk her way.”
Since her passing, family and friends say that butterflies have become a warm reminder of Addy’s presence. To that end, students decorated Addy’s Way with over 700 butterflies to serve as a reminder of her bright spirit.
“Butterflies may seem delicate, but they are strong, and determined, just like our Addy,” said Snow. “We believe that every butterfly we see is Addy’s way of saying ‘Hello,’ and of reminding us that she is still fluttering around these hallways everyday.”
Members of Addy’s family were presented with a butterfly of their own and an Addy’s Way placard.
“I feel truly blessed, and truly grateful, that even though Addy is not here in body, she is here in spirit, and remembered every single day,” said Addy’s mother Elizabeth Marrie. “She was loved just as much at school as she was at home. We never had to worry about a thing. This shows true compassion, and true love.”
Elizabeth and husband Stewart praised the staff at both Paradise Intermediate, and Addy’s former school, Octagon Pond Elementary, for their care of their daughter over the years.
“Never once did I drop Addy off, and feel that she wouldn’t be included,” said Elizabeth. “The teachers here are truly amazing…. They’re my best friends, and my second family.”
If nothing else, the family hopes that folks will learn kindness from Addy’s example.
“Be kind,” said Addy’s father Stewart. “You don’t know what people are going through, you don’t know what battles people are going through. Be kind, be nice.”
“If people saw us out walking tomorrow with our four boys, people who didn’t know us, who were to look at us, they would never know that we had lost a child,” added Elizabeth. “People are fighting battles that nobody knows about.”
Family, friends, and school staff and students, meanwhile, will continue to remember Addy, and her kind spirit, determination, and sass.
“She was determined, and spunky, spunky, spunky,” said mom Elizabeth. “She walked to the beat of her drum. She was non-verbal and hearing-impaired, it didn’t matter. She didn’t need those things to be Addyson.”