Dr. Lois A. Marchino, native of Wheatland, Indiana and formerly of El Paso, Texas, died on August 16, 2021 at Bethany Life in Story City, Iowa where she had been a resident since 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Vincennes, Indiana with inurnment at the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Lois Annette Marchino was born in Vincennes, Indiana, on December 2, 1938 to Ephraim and Dorothy (McCormick) Marchino. She graduated from high school in Wheatland, Indiana, in 1956, received an associate degree from Vincennes University and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. She taught high school Social Studies at Oaktown, Indiana, and English at Kokomo, Indiana, for several years while completing her master’s degree at Purdue University. She taught English on the Fulbright program in Leeds, England in 1964 and 1965. She was an instructor of English at University of New Mexico where she earned her doctorate in English in 1972. Dr. Marchino served on the English Department faculty at the University of Texas at El Paso from 1974 until her retirement in 2013, much esteemed by both her colleagues and students. Specializing in British literature, she taught students at all levels from freshmen to graduate. She was noted for her “Women in Literature” and “Detective Fiction” courses. Active in academic administration, Dr. Marchino served as Assistant Chair of the English Department and Director of Literature. She was instrumental in founding the first University Women’s Studies Program in a Texas university, and subsequently served as Director. She helped create the English Department’s teaching assistant instruction program and received many awards for her outstanding service and scholarship, including Woman of the Year in the Arts and the Mellon Fellowship for Contemporary Women’s Literature. A member of the Popular Culture Association and the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association, Dr. Marchino presented yearly academic papers and published over sixty scholarly articles in various academic journals. Most notably, she co-authored Death by Pen with Deane Mansfield-Kelley, a textbook still being used worldwide in university detective fiction courses. Dr. Marchino was active in the El Paso Coalition of Women’s Organizations, Women’s Advisory to the President of the University, and numerous other campus and community activities. True to her description in a 1989 article of the fictional characters she studied, Dr. Marchino “strikingly embodied two qualities often disallowed women in the past: practical intelligence and the power of action.” In addition to her academic career, Dr. Marchino loved dogs and enjoyed rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and women’s sports with a long-time group of friends. Dr. Marchino was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Maurice Marchino. She is survived by her sister Mary Marchino de Baca of Huxley, Iowa, sister-in-law Emily Marchino of Wheatland, Indiana, nieces and nephews Joseph M. (Becky) Marchino, Sara Jane (Larry) Hope, Rex (Susan) Marchino, Rob (Tabby) Marchino, Monica de Baca (Karen Mudd), Suzanna de Baca (Ronny Weatherman), and Louis de Baca (Lorena Chambers) and numerous relatives, colleagues and friends. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Adams Funeral Home and online condolences may be left to Lois’ family at www.adamssoderstrum.com or mailed to Mary de Baca, 55715 310th Street, Huxley, Iowa 50124. Memorials can be directed to: Bethany Life Foundation, 212 Lafayette, Story City, Iowa 50248 Tribute to Lois Marchino, Department of English, University of Texas at El Paso, Office of Development, Kelly Hall 6th Floor, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso Texas 79902.