It is with deep sadness that I hear the news of Marian passing. And reading the words on the blog just shows what a wonderful human she was.

I had the greatest pleasure of working with Marian, for only a brief period, at Aeneid/Eoexchange in 1999/2000, when she was an intern completing her MLS degree. She worked one or two days a week - I think it varied and we would have lunch every week. I looked forward to our time together and she touched me in ways she'll never know. She was a great inspiration to me, a strong woman and beautiful to boot. I'm half the woman she was.

I heard about her breast cancer diagnosis in 2002 and never got a chance to see her - I had moved home to England and was back and forth to SF. We missed each other and alas lost touch, but I have never forgotten her. She was definitely an inspiration to me and I am so sad that she didn't beat the cancer. This news certainly puts things into perspective. This is a great loss of a great lady of immense human capacity and a huge heart.

My thoughts are with you and her family, please let everyone know how farspread this stunning lady has reached.

Sorry to see her go and may her memory live on. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to share her.

Best Wishes
Sarah Lebedeff

Back at You, Kid

Marian and I became friends through a disease. Ugh, right? Except there was nothing terrible about our friendship except for its brevity: two years and a lifetime.

One gift Marian gave me was a simple card, picked up at Trader Joe's market. She may have given the card to others; in a way, I hope she did share the joy it gave me with other friends. The art (Linda Carter Holman) is of a woman in southwestern garb hugging the long stems of cut calla lilies and tulips to her chest over a quote from Wallis Simpson:

A woman's life can really be a succession of lives, each revolving around some emotionally compelling situation or challenge, and each marked off by some intense experience.

Inside, under the printed "Thinking of you with love during this challenging time" sentiment, she had written:

"Libby, Libby (Hedgie, too!),
I miss your hugs...
I miss your laugh —
I miss your tears —
I think of you everyday.
I love you so much —
Marian"

Who knows what "intense experience" prompted the card from my friend. I do know that losing Marian from this physical realm saddens me and while I believe she is in a joyful place, my suffering is all about me. And so I offer her poem in my heart,

Marian,
I miss your hugs...
I miss your laugh —
I miss your tears —
I think of you everyday.
I love you so much —
Hedgie.

Fresh Berries

Marian was a wonderful woman. She was so kind to me, and I loved her from the second I saw her. She seemed so calm and peaceful when I came to visit her in early June. She insisted on fixing me a bowl of fresh berries and she fussed all over me and my brother. I wish I had met her more than that one time, though.

I'm sure we all wish that we could see her sweet face and feel her kind smile. But she died with her closest family, and she probably died with a smile.

Gracie, age 9

I am without proper words to truly express how profoundly Marian touched me. From the moment I met her I was, and will continue to be, inspired by her courage and fight to get the most out of her life and live it true to herself. Knowing Marian changed me in so many ways, from having the courage to hold my doctors accountable to finally taking Tai Chi, having my first-ever scoop of Mitchell's avocado ice cream and dress with a little more spunk. Even cancer could not touch her beauty or her spirit, and I will miss her so dearly. Dear, dear, Marian, may you float to peace on the feathers and strong wings of all our love.

Mary Love

Red Lava Cakes

Heyo,

To me, these pictures remind me of Red perfectly in her space - we (Red, Marilyn Lee and I) were making a batch of chocolate lava cakes (she would flush when she ate them - it may have been the most significant positive reaction to my cooking) and she let our dog Zuma lick the butter she was working with from her fingers when she thought nobody was watching...

Fortunately, my wife Dori was recording the process for posterity.

Best wishes,

jim

Marian the Librarian

Marian, oh Marian
Was there ever a librarian?
With wit, wisdom, and such marvelous style
Who goes out in the world
Banner unfurled
Beaming love from her beautiful smile

Cathy Layton

Beauty

My cousin, Marian, you are one the most beautiful women I have ever known, both inside and out. You are truly missed. Thank you for being such a true inspiration.

Alexandre Garrett