Joyous, generous, loving, artistic.
Mariah grew up as the only child of Valerie and Richard Albee in Severna Park, Maryland. She attended a Montessori school at age 3 and excelled. “Her childhood was remarkable,” said Mariah’s mother, Valerie.
She developed a love of music and dance while in elementary grades; engaging in ballet lessons at age 5 and flute lessons to follow. Mariah became a member of the Anne Arundel Community College Concert Band at age 10. Her accomplishments grew as she joined a local swim team, became a cheerleader and football team manager. “She was happy-go-lucky as a child,” Valerie said.
She had a contagious smile and got great joy out of helping others, especially the homeless. Mariah and her mother would often go together to distribute clothing and blankets to homeless folks in Baltimore. Mariah saw the homeless for who they were. She didn’t judge them. Mariah had a big heart.
In the eighth grade some students began to bully Mariah, saying mean things and calling her names. Mariah got straight A’s through seventh grade, but when bullying began the next year her grades fell and she became depressed and anxious.
She saw counselors along the way and continued to participate in extra-activities in the ninth grade and later years, but her mood swings became more severe. Finally, by her senior year in high school, Mariah was diagnosed as bi-polar at Johns Hopkins and given medication to keep it under control.
She graduated from Severna Park High School in 2000.
In the mid-2000s, she became a manager of a retail store and was doing very well. Everyone liked her at work and said she was terrific.
In the late summer of 2012 Mariah enrolled in college with the goal to become a nurse. She moved home and went on a family trip to Michigan.
Since her passing, Mariah’s mother has founded Mariah’s Mission, a non-profit dedicated to helping those in recovery and their families. The Albees now live in Easton, Maryland.
Mariah’s mother Valerie provided information for this profile.
Nov. 27, 1982 – Sept. 7, 2012
Age 29
Lived with addiction 12 years
