Edie R. Marks
August 06, 1925 - December 21, 2016
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Edie R. Marks
August 06, 1925 - December 21, 2016
Obituary
Edie left us on the Winter Solstice. She was 91 years young.
She left as she lived – on her own terms, with grace, and as beautiful as ever.
Born Edith Rühlicke in Germany and raised in Berlin, early life was not easy. She came of age during a world-wide Depression, the rise of Hitler, and World War II. Fortunately, hers was a close knit and supportive family.
She left them only to seek a better life in America, marrying an Army Captain she met at the end of the war. Two daughters were born of that union.
Edie loved America and would go on to live in New England, the Southwest, and finally in Washington.
She loved her family and friends unconditionally – and was loved well in return.
Edie is survived by her daughters, Anna of Santa Cruz and Karin of Snoqualmie, and her grandchildren Oren (Danielle), Olivia, and Emily. She is also survived by great-granddaughter, Harlin.
She leaves behind many friends scattered across the country, and two very dear friends, Sharon Sullivan of Bellingham, and Neil Leonard of Suffield, Connecticut.
Thank you, Sharon and Neil, for being there to wish her farewell on her final journey. Special thanks, as well, to the staff and volunteers at Whatcom Hospice House for their loving care and kindness.
5 responses to Edie R. Marks
Elisabeth Koehler says:
December 21, 2016
Dearest Edie,Although your physical body has left us we can cherish the memories you left behind and feel your gentle presence in the wind, the snow and the rain. Your spirit will warm us in the sun. Your smile and laugh will never be forgotten. So many memories I have of you and I am sure you are sharing those up in heaven and everyone is rolling in laughter.
(You know the stories I remember best :-)….ha ha ha ha
Thank you for your lovely contribution to this planet.
Much love and hugs to you in your “life after life”.
I will miss you forever.
Elisabeth
Diane Parker Beers says:
December 21, 2016
At the end of life, our questions are very simple:
Did I live fully? Did I love well?
– Jack Kornfield
You sure did, Edie. Completely. Deeply. In your honor, may we all try to do the same.
My Mom and Edie met in the 1970s while swimming at the YMCA in Stratford, CT. Even though they barely knew each other, Edie asked Mom to housesit and care for her cat when she went on vacation. Thus began a lifelong bond of friendship and trust; as well as wonderful food (Edie was a great cook), a good amount of wine, and lots of fun through the years. While living in Albuquerque, Edie took wonderful care of Mom when she was sick. And in Albuquerque she also cared for me, when I visited 6 weeks after Mom died. Out of all memories of Edie, and there are many, those two I am most grateful for.
Lena Lillienberg says:
December 21, 2016
Edie was a wonderful friend and a fantastic human being, who we were blessed to have known. I am sure she is now in another dimension, dancing, laughing and hopefully able to have some wine. Edie, I will see you there, when my time comes. Love always Lee
Anna says:
December 21, 2016
Mom,I will always love you & remember your youthful spirit. Not only were you the most beautiful woman, but smart, strong, artistic, sensitive & kind-hearted as well. You will always be honored & cherished by the family that came into this world because of you. Though your life was not easy, sometimes filled with hardship, pain & suffering, you managed to stay positive & happy, always displaying a great sense of humor. You died the way you lived, surrounded by those you loved most, cracking jokes & even singing along with Leonard Cohen…”Hallelujah!!” – free at last!
Dave McDonald says:
December 21, 2016
My dearest Edie,I can remember the first time Karin introduced me to you. It was at your apartment complex in Albq,. A wonderful, sweet, beautiful lady who exuded radiance and a real zest for life. My God, what a personality I thought to myself. I knew then I loved you and always would for life. Your wonderful smile and lovely German accent that made who you are.
I always enjoyed listening to your stories about Germany, Oren, and Neil, some sad, unbelievable, and some great fantastic memories. But they were the fabric of who you are and what you became in later life. Strong.
You were a real fighter and put up with quite a lot that life threw at you.
You raised two girls on your own in a time when being a single mother was unheard of even in a judgmental progressive America.
Yet you persevered.
We sure shared some great times in both the Southwest and Northwest.
My mother Marian loved you as well. She thought highly of you and always wrote you cards and letters when she was thinking of you.
You will always be a free thinker/spirit in my book Edie.
May your spirit ride the heavens and beyond the bright side of infinity.
Love you lots and lots.
Dave McDonald