Marni Sweet lost her battle with brain cancer on Sunday, Sept. 23. Since Marni's retirement in June because of terminal illness, we received many messages of love and support from alumni and friends of PIC. Learn more about Marni's career in News from our Neighborhood.

My name is Benjamin Cushing Shell, and I was at PIC from 1986-1990, and for a couple years in the mid 90's for afterschool.  I lived on St. Marks Square and went to University City New School before transferring to Germantown Friends School in 3rd grade.  

I remember coming to see Marni in her office.  She was so down-to-earth, so friendly. I remember being a bit intimidated at first, because she could be business-like and commanding when she wanted to be. But I felt underlying it was warmth and caring, and that I felt safe under her care.  I am sorry this is not very detailed, but I was too young to remember much!

I wish she can live the rest of her days in comfort, with the same kind of support, caring, and thoughtfulness with which she ran PIC, with which she approached her job and all the people connected with PIC.

Sincerely,
Ben Shell

Our daughter Allison (Ally) Adams-Alwine was at PIC from spring 1985
to fall of 1991.  I remember PIC as a wonderful, welcoming and stable environment at a time in my life when it was much-needed. Our lives seemed chaotic and stressful at the time - two young faculty parents, both pre-tenure and working too hard, never sleeping enough.  We relied often on Marni's wisdom when things were difficult - as well as on the collective wisdom of the wonderful teachers.  

I simply can't say enough about how important those years were
to us and to Ally; she got a great start at PIC.  She just graduated magna
cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a degree in political science,
and is starting a graduate program in conflict resolution at Georgetown.  
Many thanks to Marni, and to all the others who were at PIC back then.

I would also like to add something about Marni's contributions to the
broader picture of child care in the University City area.  For the last
couple of years, I have been involved in efforts to improve access to child care for University employees.  I once attended a
meeting with Marni and [she] was the one who came in with real information - how many day care centers there are in the area served by the University (complete with map showing locations and numbers),  how many children, how many kids on waiting lists, how many more spaces we need - and she also came with concrete suggestions about improving access.  I will be continuing our efforts to improve access to child care, and Marni will be greatly missed, because she understood not only how to help each child individually, but also how to help on the broader scale, in the community.

With warm thoughts for PIC and for Marni,
Sherri Adams (Ally's mom)

I am amazed at Marni's ability to remember names when she has so many names and faces to deal with: not only did Marni instantly commit each of my
children's names to memory, and consistently refer to them by name every
time she saw them, but she also knew my name after only meeting me once,
and knew that I was Max and Ben's Mom even on the rare occasion that I was
walking around PIC without Max or Ben nearby. This is one of the many ways in which Marni made PIC such a wonderful, personal and inviting place.

Jacquelyn A. Caridad

Marni and PIC helped raise four of our children. They were Fireflies,
Sunshines, Wild Things, Peanuts, after-schoolers and two of them even
returned to volunteer for a summer as young teens. They formed long-term
friendships and lasting memories -- like playing in the motor room, walking
to the button and hiding in the big tires.

But Marni also helped shepherd us into parenthood. She was always
available to listen and often helped us gain perspective. She provided a
framework for child development and helped us temper our expectations.
Her involvement with child care beyond PIC introduced children to grass
roots involvement, marching on Washington and encouraged parental
involvement in national and local child care policy. Marni fostered an
atmosphere where parents could come together to discuss issues such as
diversity, class, race and education and how these affect families.
Marni's unwavering commitment to PIC as a parent cooperative was as
wise as it was necessary to PIC's strength. Encouraging parents to
make more than a financial commitment strengthened the community in
which we raised our children.

Marni supported her staff in a way that encouraged celebrating each
child as an individual. She created an environment where children are
loved as a primary focus. She never stopped striving to make PIC better
and more. For most of us, PIC was a part of our family and identity.

Marni once said, "I can't help that mothers cry when they first
leave their children at day care, but I can promise that while here,
they are loved, unconditionally." Really, who could ask for more than
that? Thank you.

Gregg Fromell, Beth Rezet, Eric Feingold, Penny Rezet,
Maddie Fromell, Daniel Feingold, Nick Fromell, Zoe Feingold
1989-1998

My name is Barry Nagle and I was associated with PIC from 1984-1990.  My family was never at PIC; PIC was more my family.  I started at PIC while I was a student at Temple University in the Early Childhood Education program.  Marni was invited to speak in Dr. Evangeline Ward's class and, along with my classmates, I had to write a paper about her presentation.  I commented in my paper how everything about The Parent-Infant Center seemed completely child-centered; one comment I made was how happy the children looked in the pictures Marni showed.  I remember this so well because Dr. Ward said I was the only person who pointed this out.  At the close of her talk Marni said she would welcome visitors.  Fortunately, I had a ready excuse to visit because I had to arrange a practicum for another one of my classes and arranged it at PIC. 

Well, this was the start of just a wonderful experience for me.  After I graduated in 1986, Marni hired me as an assistant teacher.  I was so thankful for this because I wanted my first job to be something I would like and I knew PIC would be perfect.  I'm not sure if Marni knew this but I had turned down a job teaching in New Jersey for a salary that was quite a bit higher... there was no choice though, I just wanted to be in the place that Marni helped to build.  In 1988, I left to teach kindergarten with the School District of Philadelphia.  Though I knew I would miss PIC, this was an opportunity to work in an inner-city school, which was something that I wanted to do.  Even after I left, though, I kept trying to find excuses to go to PIC and Marni was nice enough to put up with me and find stuff for me to do.  So, instead of enjoying the public school teacher perk of the summer off, I spent the next two summers at PIC. 

There are two ways that Marni is has had a long-term impact on me.  When I tell people about my career, I say that I started as a day-care teacher and that it was better than working for a living.  Besides being true, that's directly attributable to the environment that Marni created at PIC.  The other way is that I always envision myself one day going back into classroom teaching.  I again attribute that to being at PIC with Marni.

What do I think of when I think of Marni?  She's a former boss but I don't think of her that way.  She was definitely a mentor to me but I don't think of her that way.  More than anything, I think of Marni as a great and special friend.

Since Katie, Tim and Jonathan Forkey all were involved at PIC from 2001-2003 our family has grown, with Daniel arriving in 2004 and a new little one due in December.  The big kids are in school now, but child care remains an issue for our family, and PIC and your programs have been our gold standard as we search out placements in Massachusetts now.  From the accommodations made to help our kids adjust to day care, to the support of the staff and parents, to the work you and I were involved with at Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, your touch turned the challenging work of day care into a joyful growing experience for all of us.  It is a tough act to follow.

Thank you for all your attention and devotion - to us, one family among many; to your tiny charges, who grew wise and well at PIC; to your teachers, who were obviously nurtured and cherished for all they brought to PIC; and to the Philadelphia community, who has had a child advocate of the highest order.  We are honored and delighted to have been a part of PIC for a time and through that experience, to have had a chance to work with you.

Much love and many thanks
The Forkey Family – Joe, Heather, Katie, Tim, Jonathan, Daniel and Baby

I would have to say that my best Marni memories would be the annual Halloween Parade. She would stand in the middle of the big circle with her same costume every year, a clown, and lead us in songs. I also remember her trying to get me to wear that costume one year! I literally grew up at PIC. My mother, Linda, use to work there in the early eighties and my sister attended when she was 2. I came with my mom on many occasions. I began working there in 1990 and left in 2001. So PIC and Marni make up 26 years of my life. Although I am no longer there, it is still my home and a huge stepping stone in my life!!

Sincerely,
Nichole Smith-Scott