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Brookside Librarian Mrs. Marmorstein Retires After 25 Years of Inspiring Young Readers

5/30/2025

Shanzay Ali '25, Senior May Project Intern, Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Click here to share well wishes with Laura Marmorstein as she retires

After over two decades of shaping young minds from the Brookside Library, Laura Marmorstein is not only saying goodbye to her teaching career, but the countless students whose lives have been touched by her through her care. She’s described as a gift to the school by her fellow colleagues. Reflecting at her time at Brookside, she shared, “All schools seek to educate children but the way we educate here and the resources that we have to pass on, that it’s a very special place and treasure that”. She also expresses a great gratitude for her colleagues, saying “I’ve never met a group of more caring, creative, and passionate people.” As she turns to the next page in her chapter, her legacy will live on within the lower school library in the imaginations of the children whose love of reading she helped to spark.

Certain people leave lasting marks on the lives of everyone they meet, shaping the world around them with care and kindness. At Brookside, Mrs. Marmorstein is one of them, being described as a gift by her colleagues. As she prepares to retire from Cranbrook after over two decades of service, our community pauses to celebrate not just a career but a legacy of passion and love.

Mrs. Marmorstein’s journey began as a parent volunteer, starting by enrolling her daughter Raleigh at Cranbrook. Reflecting on that decision, she shared, “My daughter could learn to read and write and do math anywhere, but what we really appreciate about this place was this idea to nurture the whole child.” This philosophy of nurturing not only the minds but the characters of the children she encounters is crucial to her work as a teacher.

For Mrs. Marmorstein, the greatest joy has always come from watching a child discover the magic of reading. She explains, “When I put the right book on the right child's hand at the right time, it's magic. I mean, it's when a child comes back and says, I read the whole book. It's the first book I've read from beginning to end, by myself. I think that they want to read, so that makes my job very easy.”

These “aha” moments when a child experiences the thrill of reading independently for the first time have been a consistent highlight throughout her teaching career, and are testament to her love for her craft.

Her commitment to growth and learning is unshakable, as she says “When you stop learning and growing, you die.” This spirit of feeding curiosity is nurtured at Cranbrook. She describes it as a place that allows you to explore parts of yourself you didn’t know existed, because of how liberal and incorporating the curriculum is. She says, “It’s a very special place and treasure that”

As the community reflects on Mrs. Marmorstein’s retirement, many recognize the gift she has been: a bridge between generations. Her advice for those stepping into the community is clear:

“Learn the traditions, watch the performances, and take walks around campus as much as you can. The traditions are kind of the glue that connects the generations. Be open to new things but also respect the traditions. This place is amazing. The art, the architecture, the beauty of the nature is, you know, as I say, it's one of my favorite things to do.”

Her love for connections extends beyond the campus or library. She cherishes community gatherings and moments of togetherness, saying:

“We have a fall festival on a Sunday every year. And, I mean, we're not obligated...but I think, why wouldn't you want to be part of a fall festival?”

Mrs. Marmorstein believes deeply in showing up authentically for students:

“Our kids, let them see you. You know, they know that I like to have fun, that I like, that I love tiger baseball. I mean, they know so much about me as a person because, you know, that’s how we're a community. That’s how we connect.”

This spirit of connection is the true gift she leaves behind, which will continue to grow in the years to come. Though retirement marks the closing of a chapter, a new one is beginning in countless lives Mrs. Marmorstein has touched— and for that, this community will be forever grateful.

Thank you, Mrs. Marmorstein, for everything.

~Shanzay Ali '25, Senior May Project Intern, Cranbrook Schools Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations

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