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Memories and Thoughts

You may post your memories of Marie and wishes for the family as comments on this page.

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1. garylerude - October 31, 2009

I remember Marie as steadfast: always having a positive outlook and a good sense of humor.

This weekend was to be our first church ROPE (Right of Passage Experience) overnight with the kids. She volunteered to go with us to Vermont and to coordinate the food, after volunteering earlier in the year to be our parent coordinator.

That was Marie, always willing to lend a hand, to do more than her share — and always with a cheery disposition.

2. Laurie Goodman - October 31, 2009

When I think about Marie, I see her quick, broad smile and remember her quick wit. Very smart, very thoughtful about everything she did. And I think about the party she threw for Henry in the Fellowship Room a few years ago – I remember that as one of my favorite parties of all time – just a nice, friendly, relaxed mood with a great mix of people. I’m holding Henry, Zachary and Jonathan in my heart, and I have candle lit in her memory on our mantle.

3. Ruth Cannava - October 31, 2009

Marie was one of those people that make our church the home it is for me, my children, and so many of the friends I love. Whenever things needed doing, there she was; whenever I saw her, she had a smile on her face.

4. Ellen McCormick - October 31, 2009

Marie and Henry often sat in the balcony during Sunday services. She was my focal point when I looked up from the choir space. Pensive, engaged, thoughtful. She will be missed in so many ways.

5. Susan Nutting - October 31, 2009

I have so many memories of Marie because she was such fun to be around. She was such a wonderful person who loved her family and friends. She always saw the best in everyone. We will all miss her so much.

6. Linda - October 31, 2009

I will miss meeting up with Marie at every event that involved our sons. School open houses or volunteering, basketball, camp, or just getting the boys together… I was always happy to see her and have a chance to catch up. I always felt she did anything for her kids and was very proud of them. She was dependable and helpful. She always had a smile, a positive outlook, sense of humor and great observations of things that we would talk about. I will miss her.

7. Lori Lerude - November 1, 2009

It felt like Marie and I lived parallel lives. We each have two kids, they go to the same schools, are in the same grades, and share many of the same activities. Often, when I ran into Marie, I felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, and she was there, calm, rational, intelligent, smiling, chuckling, steady, and offering to help. Marie was a rock of stability…..and a pretty damn good cook, too! I can’t begin to imagine how much I will miss her. I am blessed to have have known Marie.

8. Fredricks Family - November 1, 2009

We will miss Marie deeply. Our families spent much time together over the years; many holidays and some vacations that we will all always remember fondly. Marie was SUNSHINE! We’ll miss her fun wit and calmness in any situation. Much love and strength for Henry, Zach & Jon.

9. Jenny Tremblay - November 1, 2009

What a devoted wife and mother she was, that is what I will remember most. Always wanting what was best for her boys and being there for them. Hard to believe she is gone. I will always admire her calm strength.

10. Carolyn Kasten - November 1, 2009

Marie was always one of the first to offer help and wonderful baked goods for Music Booster events. Her generosity and positive spirit will be much missed by her Music Booster family. Sympathy and strength to her husband and the boys.

11. Carol Hess - November 1, 2009

Marie was a tremendous presence during her time at UUCM as our Director of Religious Growth. She was wise, kind and compassionate. She will be missed. Many youth have been positively affected through her work. Thank you Marie.

12. Kristin Fitzpatrick - November 1, 2009

Marie has always been someone that I look forward to checking in with. Our boys have been friends since they met so many years ago. Church, RE, sports, socializing. All were areas that were a pleasure to share with Marie. This little story came to mind this weekend.
Basketball Season

My son moved up in basketball. Every 3 or so years, they go into a new league. He’s 13, in 8th grade, and now moving up to Bantams. We found out that his best friend is going to be on his team. They have never been on a sporting team together. Jonathan plays soccer in the spring and fall. Kevin, my son, plays baseball and runs cross country. Basketball they both play, and they have now both been drafted onto the same team.

That sounds like it should be a good season. What makes it a good season for the parents? For me, it starts with my kid. I want them to have fun, have a coach that appreciates them and helps them put their best effort in. Maybe they win a few games, maybe not. (At least one win is nice…) That all kind of goes without saying. We all want our kids to be happy and successful. People define success differently, some want championships. I want coaches that my kids can be happy to run into in Shaw’s. The other aspect of a good season for this parent is the sidelines. We are relegated to the sidelines and relegated there along with the parents of the other kids on the team. I knew it was going to be a good season, as I would be sitting beside Marie, Jonathan’s mom.

The day we found out that Jonathan and Kevin would be on the same team is the same day we found out that Marie had a massive stroke, and then that she passed away. Now my idea of a successful season has broadened to one that sees Jonathan overcoming the tremendous loss of his mother, getting past the memory of how she looked when he came home and found her, being able to enjoy a win without having his mom there to hug him and say good job. Marie has always been there for her two boys, Jonathan, and his older brother Zach. Their dad, Henry, has always had her support as well. A family has been torn apart. A new sporting season starts. More has changed than the coaches and the league. I hope it will bring some sense of continuity and familiarity to Jonathan during this time when nothing is the same. I’ll happily cheer for him. I would have done so along side Marie, and I will do it with her spirit by my side.

13. Patrick Shaheen - November 2, 2009

I knew her as the mother of one of my best friends. Her intelligence and her enlightened views on religion and politics made her in my eyes one of the “cool” parents. I will remember her for the way that she was always nice to me and to everyone else around her.

14. Joe Dechene - November 2, 2009

Marie was a dedicated parent, providing support and guidance in all areas for her sons. You could see the love she had for her family in all she did. We will miss her.

15. Cyndy Likas - November 2, 2009

Marie was a very dear person. Although I only knew her for 3 years, it was a fulfilling friendship. She was indeed thoughtful, genuinely nice, quite intelligent and dedicated to her family. May her boys and Henry know that Marie left quite a wonderful mark on many of our lives. I miss her and will think of her often. For me, Marie is synonymous with quiche, apples to apples and gold sweaters! I send this with love.

16. Suzanne Shaps - November 2, 2009

Dearest Henry, Zachary and Jonathan:

I am so incredibly stunned and saddened at the passing of Marie.

She was a wonderful woman — smart, warm, cheerful, a devoted wife and mother.

I have fond memories of Marie, both in Geneva and at our meetups in Boston and a visit to your home in Nashua after we all returned Stateside.

My heart aches for you all and I wish for you comfort in her memory and the time you had together.

With much love,
Suzanne

17. Nancy and Bob Baker, Co-Presidents, Milford UU Congregation - November 2, 2009

Marie was such a warm, caring, and steady person who gave our congregation so much in the years she was our Director of Religious Education. She took a program that needed focus and direction and gave it her energy in a way that made us stronger and more aware of our potential to create thoughtful spiritual experiences for everyone, not just our children. She was reliable and honest when we needed that, and she was funny and playful with us, too. We are very deeply saddened by her death, but so grateful that we knew her well, for she enriched us more than we probably appreciated at the time. Marie was a quiet treasure during those years she built an RE program for us, and she taught us to see possibilities as well as how to implement the basics. I know that many of our members and friends will reach out to you with their warm memories of Marie, but on behalf of the entire Milford UU Congregation, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

18. Joseph Guilfoyle - UUCM - November 2, 2009

I am deeply saddened by this loss, Marie was such a kind and unassuming individual who cared so much for her family and members of our community here in the Unitarian Universalist Conregation of Milford. She was a tremendous support to many and truly dedicated to here family. Her gentle and supportive presence will be missed. I hold her family in my thoughts and prayers. Peace and blessings to you all.

19. Elizabeth Stockwell - November 2, 2009

I am in deep shock and so saddened to lose such a great friend. Marie was a genuinely good person who always saw the best in evryone. She truly loved being a mom and had a great spirit which will live on. My heart goes out to Henri, Zach and Jonathan. I have such fond memories of Marie and even went to visit Marie and Henri when they were in Geneva. I hope that all of our happy memories can give strength to the family as they cope with their great loss. Peace.

20. Barbara Trono UUCM - November 2, 2009

It is difficult to put into words what knowing Marie has meant to me. Before I was really a UUCM’er- she helped me through a very difficult time when I needed her caring, non-judgmental, cool headed ear. She listened. I have missed her this last year since she left as our RE. My heart breaks at the thought of her children’s loss. May peace come to them.

21. Nick and Terry Zoda - November 2, 2009

Although it has been a long time, Nick and I have very fond memories of Marie, beginning when our boys were much younger. She was always the perfect attentive hostess at the most entertaining and interesting of gatherings. We also cherish the many laughs we shared at Henry’s 50th Birthday party. Above all, Marie was a true inspiration as a wife and mother – with her selfless love and commitment to her family. We will continue to keep Henry, Zach and Jonathan in our prayers.

22. May and Dan - November 3, 2009

Marie and Henry were the first friends we made when we arrived in New England in 1983. The guys met at Mitre but we soon learned that Marie was going to be a great friend, too. She talked so fast and was so thin in those days; I envied her! Full of energy and plans. I remember Henry’s 30th birthday party as well as his 50th! Over the years we’ve held onto our old friends because there were always lots of happenings, fun and conversations when they were around. I never thought their story together would end so suddenly or so soon.

Marie was the essence of an intelligent, fulfilled woman. Though economic times hit us all hard in recent years, she never lost her ambition, energy and concern for others. She never missed an opportunity to help make others’ lives better and contribute to a stronger community. Her great love for her family was obvious and she would be most excited when talking about her boys’ activities and goals.

When we saw Henry and Marie at our barbecue in September we never would have dreamed we wouldn’t be seeing her again. It is our greatest hope that Henry, Zach and Jonathan will find peace in their memories of her and will keep pursuing their dreams because that’s what she would have wanted most.

23. Zen Family - November 3, 2009

Robin, Ken, Melinda, and Amelia are shocked and deeply saddened by this news. Marie was a wise, thoughtful, and caring mother and a wonderful, devoted wife. She was also a spectacular sister-in-law and aunt to our family. Marie will be missed by every one of us.

We will always cherish the fond memories of spending time with Marie in Switzerland, New York City, Nashua, Pennsylvania, and Denver (from mountains to farms to Luau’s to the subway!).

To Henry, Zach, and Jonathan: Our sympathy and warmest thoughts are with you guys now. May your treasured memories bring you comfort day by day.

24. Jenn Morton - November 3, 2009

I was just getting to know Marie. And of the little that I know, I realize that we have lost a wonderfully giving, positive, caring, thoughtful person.

Marie & I first spent time together when she and Henry had volunteered to help serve dinner at the Soup Kitchen last spring. Marie enjoyed helping others so much, that she vowed to come back often. And she did. AND, she brought Henry, Jonathan, & Zach. On the afternoon that their entire family was there to help serve, she and I had a long conversation about priorities and helping others and reaching out within our community to lend support. She said that it was important to her that her boys come down the the Soup Kitchen to see what happens there. (The boys looked not-so-thrilled.) But, Marie smiled.

Marie smiled easily and often. I will miss her smile as we passed in church hallways.

Henry, Zach, & Jonathan- my deepest sympathies for your tremendous loss.

25. Theresa Whyte - November 5, 2009

Dear Henry, Zach and Jonathon – I was so shocked and saddened to hear the news. It is so hard to put feelings into words. I have known Marie for 10 + years and although we had only met in person a few times, I cherish those times because it was time spent with the Zalman family. She was my sister-in-law, but she was also my friend. I will miss our email messages, updating each other on our boys’ activities and family news. Her name always brought a smile to my face when I saw there was a message from her waiting in my in-box. Our messages were not long, but such a valued connection.

Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sincerly,
Theresa, Quinn and Paul

26. Cara Barlow - November 5, 2009

Dear Henry, Zach and Jonathon: I know we have never met, but you have been in my thoughts often since I heard the news.

I knew Marie in her role as DRE at UUCM. She was funny, kind, smart, full of energy, and just fun to be around. I really missed her when she left to take her new job. When I think of her, I picture her laughing – I remember her having a great sense of humor.

There are some times in life when words just won’t do. I’m holding you in my thoughts and prayers, and sending love your way.

Sincerely, Cara Barlow

27. Cathy, Mikael, Linnea, Kasey, Sasha, Ilona - November 6, 2009

Dear Henry, Zach and Jon,

Our thoughts are with you during this sad time. Our family loved having Marie as our DRE. She was always kind and thoughtful and worked hard to get things done. We will miss her very much.

Cathy, Mikael, Linnea, Kasey, Sasha and Ilona

28. Zalman family - November 19, 2009

To all of you who have been so kind to us, thank you. It is a very difficult time for us, but it really helps to have so much support. We appreciate the kind thoughts, cards, memorial service and everything else that people have been doing for us.

Marie was well-loved, and we were lucky to have her with us for the time that we did. Unfortunately, life must now go on without her, and we will have to make many difficult adjustments. But it is easier when we are getting so much love and support.

Again, thank you.
Henry, Zach, and Jonathan

29. Vikki Dean (nee Courtney) - January 8, 2010

Dear Henry and family,

I was so very sorry to hear your sad news through my Dad Peter this week.
I remember you and Marie so fondly from our Geneva days, back when I was the teenager next door and used to sometimes feed your cats. I remember the excitement when you both discovered Marie was expecting Zach, the dinners at your home, meeting up in the mountains for skiing expeditions, and how adorable Zach was when he was little.
This must be such a difficult time for you all. I can’t imagine how much you must miss her. I hope you are all managing to cope, and that you take each day at a time.
With fondest memories and wishing you all well for the future,
Vikki Dean (nee Courtney)

30. Susan Anderson - February 16, 2010

Dear Henry,
I expect there is little anyone can say or do to comfort you and your family at this time. It’s with disbelief that I’m now sending this note. To say the least, I’m so saddened at the loss of so vibrant a person, so early. It seems like just yesterday that you, Marie and I were all class mates at CU. Just a short time after, you may recall, she was a bridesmaid for my wedding. I’m looking at a picture of her right now, from the wedding … radiant … like her personality. As you know, Marie loved life, people and nature. She was a kind, free spirit with a true sense of adventure! I still vividly remember her recounting a special ski trip in Switzerland, where the two of you decided to take a night swim (fortunately in a heated pool), outside, during a snowfall. It must have been beautiful. Henry, I know your heart aches and please know that caring thoughts from Jon and I are with you and the boys.
Our deepest sympathy,
Susan (Otey) and Jon Anderson


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