Mildred Marie Ishee

Mildred Marie (Apel) Ishee passed away Thursday, April, 15, 2021, of Multiple Sclerosis. She was 78 and had lived with MS for over 20 years.

Called Marie because her older sister, Ann, could not pronounce "Mildred," she was born in Carson County, Texas, to John William, Jr., and Frances McKenzie Apel. Her grandmother, Anna Haigh McKenzie, an obstetrician, attended her birth.

Marie was the middle of three children and grew up on the family farm with her siblings, Ann and John Thomas. They had an idyllic childhood (except school) with all four grandparents—John William, Sr., Alberta Apel and Drs. Thomas H. and Anna Haigh McKenzie.

Marie graduated from Panhandle High School in 1961 and went on to receive a Bachelor's in Costume Design and Textile, University of Texas at Austin; a Bachelor of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; and a Master of Science, Texas Southern University, where she was a National Science Foundation Fellow.

Besides her family, Marie's love in life was education. She taught high school AP biology for many years, first in the Spring Branch Independent School District where she was named the 1986 Teacher of the Year and later at Klein Independent School District. While at Klein, she was the recipient of numerous awards including the 2004-05 Secondary Teacher of the Year; the 2005-06 TEA Region 4 Teacher of the Year; recognition as an Outstanding Teacher for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008; the Superintendent's Initiative Award; and was designated a Klein ISD Diamond in 2013 as one of 75 current or former educators honored by Klein during their 75th anniversary. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority of women educators.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dr. William W. (Bill) Ishee Jr., son Jonathan, his wife, Emily, and their daughter, Elizabeth Marie; her sister, Ann Stewart, Edmonton, Alberta; and her niece, Angela Apel, Denton, Texas. Predeceasing her were her parents and her beloved brother, John.

Marie may be remembered by donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://tinyurl.com/v425t52f)

A celebration of life will be held April 24, 2021, at 10 A.M. at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, TX. Visitation is prior at 9 a.m. Interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer.