Marie A. Wilhelm

Marie A. Wilhelm, age 103, was born to Marie and Alfred Schroder in New York City on May 30, 1911. Not expected to live for not even a year, she surprised them all!

She had two younger sisters, Alvina and Margaret. Marie spent many idyllic summers in Londonderry, Vermont where her mother ran the Wamtastiquet Hotel and her grandfather Marquardsen owned a small farm. She married Martin Wilhelm in 1933. Their only living child was their beloved Claire, the light of Marie’s life until she passed away in 2006.

Marie worked for many years at the Allegahany Corporation in Times Square as an executive secretary, she loved her job and her bosses. Her husband Marty passed away in New York in 1972. When Marie retired at age 65, she and her mother moved to California to be near Claire (and there she finally learned to drive). Claire, who loved the Pacific Northwest, came to Bellingham to retire in 1992. Marie again followed Claire and lived at the Willows for 13 years, driving until she was 95. After Claire’s death she moved to Summit Place Assisted Living.

Her last 8 years were filled with friends, especially Betty Strand and Karen Bellingar, her church (Our Saviour’s Lutheran) and her birthdays, where her nephew Pete Wilhelm and his family would gather to celebrate. Marie loved life and books and music. We will all miss her greatly. A special thank you to Summit Place and their extraordinary staff, Doctor McClenahan, and the Mount Baker Care Center. May God Bless you all.

Memorials may be made to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. A Graveside Service will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Bayview Cemetery with a Memorial Service following at 2:00 PM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.