Marie Walker Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

OBITUARY MARIE WALKER On Wednesday, July 10, 2019, Andrienne ‘Marie’ Nicola Walker, loving wife and stepmother, passed away at the age of 58. Marie was born on November 9th, 1960 in Kingston, Jamaica to Clinton and Sadie Deeble. A graduate of Holy Childhood High School, she was recruited by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), migrated from Jamaica to the United States to work in the JTB’s New York office and studied while there, receiving her degree in Advertising from Iona College, graduating Magna Cum Laude and later earning a Certification in Marketing and Public Relations from New York University. Marie spent over 40 years in marketing and advertising in the travel and tourism industry and was affiliated with the Boards of The American Foundation of the University of the West Indies, (AFUWI); the Caribbean Tourism Organization, USA; Monroe College Graduate School Advisory Board. On June 5, 2000 she married the Honorable Sam Walker, where she became a loving stepmother to Sam Douglas Walker II and Shannon Mulira. Marie had boundless passion for life and everything that encompasses it: people, food, music and most importantly, travel – especially for the region of her birth: the Caribbean. Throughout the course of her career Marie worked to promote the destinations of Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and Anguilla, launching her tourism marketing agency, TurnStyle Marketing, Inc. Her passion for the hospitality industry and cuisine led her to consult on the creation of Bambou, a 3-star Caribbean restaurant in Manhattan and then she successfully launched and operated a pop-up Jerk restaurant in Harlem: Jerk-to-Go. Marie often cited the following T.D. Jakes quote to describe her endless drive, “It is your passion that empowers you to be able to do that thing you were created to do” and her passion led her to incredible achievements in her career. Not only did she positively impact the countries she was promoting by driving tourism to each, but she received 11 Awards for her service from the leading agencies in travel including: American Society of Travel Agents, New York Certificate of Recognition, Consul General of Jamaica Award, Anguilla Professional Association of New York (APANY); and the American Marketing Association. Her impact was such that chances are that if you had anything to do with the Caribbean’s tourism industry, you met Marie, or met someone who knew Marie. Based in New York and Florida, Marie was constantly traveling personally and professionally. Her natural curiosity meant she was constantly trying something new, and wanted each and every person she met to try it as well. Cajoling was Marie’s life motto: it was impossible to say no to her, and in return you knew that you would always have a smile on your face that would last the rest of the day. Marie’s personality meant each and every person would be included and feel her warmth. Her signature ending for any message, voicemail or email – ‘Warmest’ – truly described her. Her warmth was felt by those that knew her, and the thousands in the countries she helped to promote and drive their economy and is her living legacy. Marie leaves her husband, Sam, her parents Clinton and Sadie Deeble, sister Jackie Vickers, brother-in-law Michael Vickers, nieces Nicola and Celine, stepchildren Sam Douglas and Shannon and step-grandchildren, friends and business colleagues to mourn. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 10 AM (EST) at Cooper City Church of God, 9191 Stirling Road, Cooper City, FL.

Marie Walker

November 9, 1960 - July 10, 2019