Misawa, Japan (August 2009) Cummings Elementary School Multi-age Teacher Margaret A. Marsett enjoyed many outdoor activities, especially biking (photo provided by Cummings Elementary School)

MISAWA AIR BASE, JAPAN — November 16, 2009 — Margaret A. Marsett, a fourth and fifth-grade multi-age teacher at Cummings Elementary School here, was found unresponsive at her off-base home Nov. 12.

Emergency responders, which included Japanese national police, 35th Fighter Wing Security Forces, and Air Force Office of Special Investigations, arrived on the scene shortly after the initial call at approximately 9:15 a.m. She was pronounced dead on the scene and Japanese national police—responsible for the autopsy—have since determined that the death was not the result of criminal activity.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Marsett family and friends for their loss,” said Col. RC Craig, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander. “We value every member of our Misawa community – Mrs. Marsett will truly be missed.”

Marsett, 63, began her tenure with DoDEA Pacific in August 2001 after previous teaching assignments with the Fairfax County Public Schools in Va. Her first DoDEA assignment was as a fifth grade teacher at Lanham Elementary School in Atsugi, Japan where she later transitioned into a multi-age teaching assignment. She remained at Lanham ES until July of this year when she moved to Misawa to join the faculty of Cummings Elementary School as a multi-age teacher.

In phone interviews and personal messages, colleagues and friends recalled time and again how Ms. Marsett was “very dedicated to students and parents.”

Cummings ES Principal Scott Sterry said she was “outgoing, dynamic and full of laughter.” Sterry went on to say that her enthusiasm and cooperative spirit “lifted everyone up” and that she will be greatly missed.

On Thursday, school counselors and psychologists began assisting students, faculty, staff and community members as they processed the difficult news.

Ms. Marsett is survived by her brother John Marsett and niece Christina Marsett—both of Del.—and her brother Robin Marsett of Ariz

A friend and colleague that teaches pre-school for children with disabilities at nearby Sollars Elementary School, recalled how fond Ms. Marsett was of biking and the outdoors, “She is smiling at us on her way biking towards heaven.

A memorial service for Ms. Marsett will be held Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Misawa Air Base chapel."