Marie Steen Cherry, the eldest daughter of Louise and the late Nathaniel Gary, wasorn January 18, 1927 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She quietly departed this life on March 3, 2006. At an early age, she was baptized and became a member of the First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids. After moving to Baltimore, she quickly united with the Leadenhall Baptist Church and was a faithful worker until her death. She taught Sunday school for several years, and she served as a Deaconess, a member of the Courtesy Committee, the Ware Life Line,and the Missionary Ministries. Marie received her formal education in the public schools of North Carolina, where she gratuated from John Armstrong Chaloner High School. She continued her education after moving to Baltimore in 1946 and by 1947, graduated from the Apex Beauty School in Baltimore. After receivng her cosmetology license, she began working as a hair stylist in South Baltimore. She later earned her Bachelor, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in cosmetology from the National Institute of Cosmetology. In 1955, Marie was wed to Charles Edward Steen. From that union, 3 children were born, Iris, Charles, and Gary. After their marriage, Charles and Marie moved to West Baltimore and opened the Ellamont Beauty Salon, a beauty shop and barbershop combination. Although Charles preceded her in death, ahe continued to won, operate and work in the salon for the next 50 years. Affectinately called ''Aunt Ree'' by her many nieces and nephews, Marie was kind, gentle and generous. She loved helping others in any way she could. She regularly spent time styling the patients hair at the Saint Elizabeth Nursing Home, and she was a volunteer for the National Cancer Society's ''Look Good, Feel Better'' program. She was a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction, and the Maryland State Beauty Culturist Association. She was also a member of the National Beauty Culturist League where she was the recipient of numerous awards for her dedicated service to that organization. In addition, Marie served 2 terms as bacillus for the Zeta Chapter of the Theta Nu Sigma sorority and she was honored to have served two terms as the Chairperson for the 57th Women's Day activities at the Leadenhall Baptist Church, along with her sister, Olivia Carroll, as the co-chairperson. Despite her busy schedule, Marie found time to travel. She has visited at least 40 of the 50 United States as well as several countries abroad. She was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Gary. She is survived by her mother, Louise A. Gary; three children, Iris C. Kutch, Charles A. Steen Margaret, and Gary B. Steen and one sdopted daughter, Donna Steen; six grandchildren, Tarah Kutch, Kory Kutch, Charles Steen, Jr.,MaShaun Steen, and Ashley Steen of Baltimore; five sisters, Olivia Carroll Robert, Cleo Bond Robert, Yvonne Gary Lawrence, Deloris A. Ransom of Baltimore and Sharon Gary Finney of New Freedom, PA, one brother, McClain Gary Judy of Baltimore; two first cousins, Mary L. Boone of Portsmouth, VA, and Eugenia Walden of Garysburg, NC; five nieces, five nephews, and a host of other cousins, relatives and friends.