A Tribute to Maria
When I became the Pastor of the Lindley Church in 1996, I met a lady from Brazil, named Maria Killinger, who was a teacher in our school. On Monday, August 26, 2002 Maria went to be with the Lord. A Talented Teacher Maria was a lady of many abilities. She spoke four languages and was a wiz at math, but the thing for which Maria will be remembered most on earth will be that she was a gifted teacher of children. She taught the first and second grades and in a few cases the third grade. Her students consistently scored much high on standardized test than the national average. The children loved her. The parents swore by her teaching. She gave many a solid foundation on which they can build an educational career.
A Tireless Treasurer Less known is that Maria was the treasurer for the church and the Academy. That was no small task. She managed five accounts for the school alone. For years, she tirelessly wrote checks and balanced banks accounts. Her husband told me there were times when she got up in the middle of the night to work on the books.
Like many treasurers, she jealously guarded the funds. She questioned every expenditure. I have had people give me receipts for a reimbursement and say, “Would you ask her for a check?” When I would tell them to do it, they would tell me that I could explain to her that it was an authorized expenditure.
A Sacrificial Servant What few know is that Maria was not just faithful; she was sacrificial in service. She arrived early and stayed late. If the after-school day care personnel was not available, without hesitation, Maria watched the children until six o’ clock. There were times when she paid for things at the school out of her own pocket and did not get reimbursed.
In the spring, Maria hurt her hip. She had not fallen; the pain just suddenly appeared. When she went to the doctor, he told her it was a muscles and to take Advil. “It will clear up in six weeks,” he told her. Well, it didn’t. Weeks spilled into months. The pain grew worst and worst. It got so bad she could only walk with the aid of a walker. Finally, she went to see a doctor outside her HMO. Then, she changed her primary HMO doctor, all of which took time. In the meantime, long after she should have stopped, she was determined to finish the school year, which she did. By the time they figured out that it was cancer, it had metastasized throughout her body. She worked to the bitter end, even in severe pain, sacrificing her comfort for the children in her care.
Having worked closely with her for almost six years, I know of other things I could say. For example, she had a sense of rightness and she could defend it, which often left her misunderstood, but the thing I will remember most is her faithful, tireless, sacrificial service. Like her Savior, she came to serve, not be served (Mk. 10:45). Thanks, Maria.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 8/30/2002.
A Tireless Treasurer Less known is that Maria was the treasurer for the church and the Academy. That was no small task. She managed five accounts for the school alone. For years, she tirelessly wrote checks and balanced banks accounts. Her husband told me there were times when she got up in the middle of the night to work on the books.
Like many treasurers, she jealously guarded the funds. She questioned every expenditure. I have had people give me receipts for a reimbursement and say, “Would you ask her for a check?” When I would tell them to do it, they would tell me that I could explain to her that it was an authorized expenditure.
A Sacrificial Servant What few know is that Maria was not just faithful; she was sacrificial in service. She arrived early and stayed late. If the after-school day care personnel was not available, without hesitation, Maria watched the children until six o’ clock. There were times when she paid for things at the school out of her own pocket and did not get reimbursed.
In the spring, Maria hurt her hip. She had not fallen; the pain just suddenly appeared. When she went to the doctor, he told her it was a muscles and to take Advil. “It will clear up in six weeks,” he told her. Well, it didn’t. Weeks spilled into months. The pain grew worst and worst. It got so bad she could only walk with the aid of a walker. Finally, she went to see a doctor outside her HMO. Then, she changed her primary HMO doctor, all of which took time. In the meantime, long after she should have stopped, she was determined to finish the school year, which she did. By the time they figured out that it was cancer, it had metastasized throughout her body. She worked to the bitter end, even in severe pain, sacrificing her comfort for the children in her care.
Having worked closely with her for almost six years, I know of other things I could say. For example, she had a sense of rightness and she could defend it, which often left her misunderstood, but the thing I will remember most is her faithful, tireless, sacrificial service. Like her Savior, she came to serve, not be served (Mk. 10:45). Thanks, Maria.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 8/30/2002.
