Marre Wilson Folcher Fanning, a retired social worker, died of lung cancer Feb. 2 at her home. The longtime Lutherville resident was 63.
Marre Folcher was raised in Sudbrook Park and graduated from Bryn Mawr School. She attended Centenary College and the University of Maryland in Baltimore, where she received her master's degree in social work in 1967, said her brother Stephen H. Folcher of Towson.
She was inspired by her mother, who taught at a school on Parks Heights Avenue for developmentally disabled students, Mr. Folcher said. For 20 years, Ms. Fanning worked at the Rosewood Center in Baltimore County, where she specialized in vocational rehabilitation. She worked another 20 years at The Arc of Baltimore, Mr. Folcher said. She retired in June.
"She would become very involved, especially if there was a problem with one of her clients," said Mr. Folcher. "She would take the time to listen."
Stephen H. Morgan, executive director of The Arc of Baltimore, met Ms. Fanning in the mid-1980s when she was a social worker at Rosewood.
She was first in charge of respite care, and started the organization's foster care program. Ms. Fanning later worked in providing supportive, community living services for clients and eventually became The Arc's assistant executive director of the community living program.
"She was a wonderful and warm human being," said Mr. Morgan, adding that she had very strong bonds with the people and families she served.
Active in charitable causes, especially those that promoted increased employment and independent living opportunities for mentally disabled and impaired adults, Ms. Fanning was a volunteer with the Special Olympics and the March of Dimes. She also served on the Baltimore County Adult Public Guardianship Review Board.
She was a Maryland Terrapins fan and followed the men's basketball team closely, and she often enjoyed reliving the game - and second-guessing player and coaches' choices, her brother said.
A marriage ended in divorce.
A memorial service was held Saturday.
In addition to her brother, Ms. Fanning is survived by her partner of 17 years, Mary Petrik; another brother, Albert G. Folcher Jr. of Birmingham, Ala.; and a niece and nephew.