Maria Rose D'Orio, Children's School Kindergarten Teacher, Dies at 42

Maria Rose D'Orio, a kindergarten teacher at The Children's School in La Jolla, died Monday. She was 42.

D'Orio, an educator at The Children's School since 2003, had a degree in developmental psychology and was completing her intern therapy hours for an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy.

D'Orio's family shared this obituary with Patch:

Maria Rose D'Orio passed away in her sleep Monday May 13, 2013 in San Diego.
 
She and her fiancé, Alan Ford Jr. lived in Little Italy and were due to be married August 11, 2013. 

Maria and Alan were expecting their first daughter, Avery Mia Rae Ford, in October.

She was the youngest daughter of Bertolo and Verna Jo D'Orio.

She was a sister, aunt, godmother, teacher, writer, poet and friend to many.

Maria was born February 2, 1971 in Greenbrae, Calif.
 
She graduated from San Francisco State University and continued her child development education until she took her last breath.

She was a Kindergarten teacher at The Children's School in La Jolla.

Maria was a critical friends coach, early childhood mentor teacher and a member of the Social Curriculum Committee.

Maria was the author of a soon to be published book, Know Wonder Learn.
 
She is survived by her father, Bertolo D'Orio of San Francisco, sisters Charlene Rockwell of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Elena D'Orio-Belkin of Long Beach. Maria also leaves her nieces Lindsey Holland, Lauren and Christina Rockwell; and nephews Nicholas Holland, Jake and Noah Belkin and John Rockwell.

In lieu of flowers Maria would prefer to continue the growth and educational programs at The Children's School. Donations can be made directly to the Maria D'Orio fund sent through the schools website at tcslj.org/maria.

Services will be held Saturday May 18, 2013 at 3 p.m. at The Children's School, at 2225 Torrey Pines Lane, La Jolla CA 92037.