The Determined, Joyful Life of Marie Van Liere
Story Idea Submitted by Debra Leland, Life Enrichment Director at Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights
At Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights, there’s a rhythm to Marie Van Liere’s days — swimming, bowling, walking, fitness drumming, and spending time with her cat, Mulder. Talk to Marie for even five minutes, and one thing becomes abundantly clear: she’s not someone who waits for life to happen. She dives in, whether or not the water is warm. Marie was born on March 22, 1961, in Roanoke, Virginia, the youngest of four siblings. Her childhood was filled with bike rides, the comforting quiet of a dead-end road, and a budding competitive spirit. “I wasn’t good, but I had fun,” she laughs, recalling her early efforts in sports — a mindset that would become the foundation of her approach to life. Marie’s athletic journey began at age eight, shortly after her family moved to the city. She joined a summer swim team, though her debut was anything but graceful. “I was horrible! My first race, I finished so far behind they were wondering if they needed to pull me out of the pool,” she recalls. Still, she stuck with it — and eventually, she earned her first win. “I won by just finishing,” she says with a grin, explaining that she was the only swimmer who wasn’t disqualified. “That’s always counted for me.” By the time she was ten, Marie had earned her first gold medal in the backstroke — her strongest event, although she preferred the challenge of the
butterfly stroke. She competed throughout high school and into college, entering local and state meets with a focus on long-distance events. It was in high school that she discovered the world of blind athletics — a revelation that changed everything. A volunteer coach saw her potential and offered to train her for free, giving her access to pool time and encouragement to chase bigger dreams. And chase them she did. In 1980, Marie competed in her first international event in Holland, winning gold in the backstroke and setting a world record for blind athletes. She would go on to compete in both the 1980 and 1984 Paralympic Games. Her most unforgettable moment? “Standing on the podium, hearing the National Anthem played just for you. You don’t know what that feels like until you’re there.” But Marie’s journey didn’t stop at the edge of the pool. At age 13, inspired by her sister, she took up bowling — though it took time to find her footing. “My average was 11 or 12. I had to practice with the little kids,” she admits. Still, she kept at it. By college, she was a regular substitute in tournaments. Her first blind bowlers’ tournament in Tallahassee didn’t earn her any trophies, but it did deliver something more meaningful: encouragement. “A lady told me, ‘You throw a hell of a first ball,’ and I said, ‘Wish I threw a hell of a second ball!’” Marie recalls with a laugh.
CEDARHURST SENIOR LIVING | SUMMER FLOURISH 2025 18
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