Castleton-Shana (Salecker) Marra 
 
A loving mother, wife, daughter and sister left this world on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at the Hospice Inn at St. Peters Hospital. For eight months she fought so hard against non-Hodgkin lymphoma just to stay alive for her “boys”
 
Shana was born on March 30, 1973, in Saratoga Springs, NY, and grew up in Clifton Park, NY.                                                                                                 
 
She was the “Amazing” daughter to Anton and Barbara Salecker.
She was the loving mother to Benjamin I. (13) and Luciano A. (11) and wife to Benjamin Marra.
 
Shana was a graduate of Shenendehowa Central School Class of 1991 and St Rose College, Albany with a Master’s Degree in Education.  
 
Shana was a Special Education teacher at Lisha Kill Middle School for 21 years.  She was a champion for her students.  Shana touched so many children’s lives as they did hers.  She was a valued member of the faculty who played an important role in organizing school events for staff members through the social committee, supporting students through the Lisha Kid Fund, and encouraging school wide participation in Toys for Tots.
 
Shana was an avid runner.  She loved Ragnar races, half marathons and marathons.  She was the “motivator” for her friends to run and always had a smile on her face while doing it.
 
Shana is survived by her proud parents Anton and Barbara Salecker of Clifton Park, her loving husband Benjamin Marra of Castleton, her sons Ben and Luc Marra of Castleton, her dear brother Anton Salecker (Aimee) of Stillwater, NY,  father-in-law Isidoro and mother-in-law Gail Marra of Nassau, NY, brother-in-law Nicolino Marra (Jenet) of Schodack, sister-in-law Caterina Marra of North Greenbush, brother-in-law Guiseppi Marra of Nassau, uncle John Salecker of Cohoes, nieces Charisma Salecker, Gianna Marra and nephew Max Marra.
 
Shana’s boys were everything to her.  She was a great “Mom”.  She instilled in “The Boys” honesty, integrity, compassion and a sense to treat people with respect and dignity.  She taught them to say “please and thank you” to people.  Traveling to basketball games, soccer games, track meets, morning programs, she made them all.   The “boys” and her were inseparable. She was a compassionate person with never a negative comment.   Shana saw the good in everyone.  Shana always had a smile on her face.  Her boys are her legacy.
 
Special thank you to Michele Kelly, Mary Lavender and Kate Newton for being at Shana’s side up until the end.   Spending hours at the hospital encouraging her to “fight” on, as well as having a few laughs together.
 
To the Lisha Kill Middle School Staff who were a great support for Shana throughout this very difficult journey, we thank you
 
To the Maple Hill Middle School Community parents and staff who have supported the boys throughout this journey for their kindness, generosity, assisting with rides and just the sincere caring, we thank you.  The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” is the Maple Hill Community.
 
Viewing hours will be on Monday from 3:00 pm to 7:00pm at the W. J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home on 1700 Washington Avenue in Rensselaer, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 A.M. at Sacred Heart Church, Castleton on the Hudson with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rensselaer, NY.
 
In lieu of flowers, remembrance may be made to a Memorial Scholarship Fund to be established in Shana’s name for a student who will pursue a Special Education major.