About Mariel

A fierce, bold, beautiful, and fiery redhead, Mariel’s star burned brightly. She had style and grace, and an uncanny sense of herself. She was at her strongest when she embraced her uniqueness and danced to her own rhythm. Like when she took one look at 1930s built Spanish Bungalow at 2532 E Willetta St. and decided she had to have it. And what a beautiful house it was, with hardwood floors, flood irrigation, a green backyard with party-o lights, a perfectly framed doggy door with steps for Oobie, and bright, inviting green exterior doors all around. Speaking of Oobie, she’s the most unique looking, surprising little American Hairless Terrier any one of us had ever seen. Mariel’s one-of-a-kind character was reflected in choices like these.

This website is a tribute to her and a place for us all to remember her that we may never forget her and that we may continue to be inspired by her. She had such aura. She was magnetic and fascinating to anyone who met her. She loved her friends, her mom, flowers, blue jeans, FM radio, birthdays, vintage clothing, and medium rare steak. She loved darts, minimalism, leather boots, club soda, dollar stores, dark chocolate, and her husband David. Mariel was a licensed cosmetologist, stylist, nail artist, designer, flight attendant, and beauty queen in our hearts. Her makeup was always perfect. Her clothes always fit and matched perfectly. She was never afraid to perch on heels and flaunt her divine figure.

David will always love and miss her. She touched his soul and changed the direction of his life. She was an angel sent from Heaven, and she’s back in Heaven now. She used to say to him, “who’s your girl?” “Mariel.” “And who’s my man? David.” She is survived by David, her mom Beth, and her perfect little doggie Oobie Jolene Nowakowski. Only the good die young, and Mariel was one of the very best. She has been and will be greatly missed, even as we continue to do our best to emulate her style and confidence and find our own voices and vision just as she did.

Please feel free to click around this website, where you will find Memories written by her friends and family, Photos of Mariel and her loved ones, the first Mariel Memorial Gathering on October 26, 2024, with a map to help you reach the family cabin atop Mount Lemmon.

Here is a collection of photos of Mariel