In Loving Memory
Marie Strohm
February 7, 1952 – November 5, 2020
Marie Vivian Strohm was born in Spokane, Washington, on February 7, 1952. She was the second of four children born to Vivian (Holland) and Joseph Marx. Marie died of a sudden heart attack in Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 5, 2020.
Marie grew up in Spokane, Washington and attended St. Aloysius Grade School and Holy Names Academy. She later attended Gonzaga University and Seattle University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Seattle University. She had a multifaceted career starting with teaching elementary special education to becoming a flight attendant for Hughes Airwest and Northwest Airlines. She moved to Phoenix and worked for Motorola developing employee training videos. She moved on to a marketing position with the Phoenix Symphony, and then entered the media world as a news radio field reporter and talk show producer. She became a television talent for infomercials and ultimately started producing them.
In 1991, Marie married Richard Strohm and they lived in Scottsdale, Arizona. They were married for 18 years and, during this time she embarked on a new career path as a videographer, which would become her true passion in life. She produced fundraising videos and short documentaries for non-profit organizations, addressing childhood leukemia, Alzheimer’s, homeless healthcare, Native American education, forest and native community protection, and global warming. Marie became recognized as one of America’s premier non-profit fundraising video producers and received 10 Telly Awards for her video production excellence, the Gold Special Jury Award at Worldfest Houston (2000), and a Best Short Documentary Award at the LA Independent Filmmakers Festival (2016).
In her retirement Marie dedicated herself to Rotary in Spokane before moving back to Scottsdale. Her generous heart and talents helped many lives and supported efforts to save the planet. She loved spending time with family and friends.
Her passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of her siblings, nieces, nephews, close friends, and colleagues. She is survived by her brother Michael Marx (Laura Carroll), brother Martin Marx (Barbara), and sister Jeannine Marx Fruci (Dave).
Online Celebration of Life
Saturday, February 6
10:00 AM Pacific
Please join us early, starting at 9:45am, to enjoy a lovely video tribute to Marie.
Information on how to join Marie’s celebration of life is below.
Before the day of the ceremony
1. Please register to attend the ceremony by clicking the button below.
2. If you do not already have Zoom, please download the application below.
On the day of the ceremony
Please refer to your registration email for instructions on joining the ceremony. Feel free to email hello@lightenarrangements.com if you need help.
Guestbook
Please join us in celebrating Marie’s life by sharing your stories and memories of her.
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Donations
Donations in Marie’s memory may be made to any of these organizations that she believed in and supported:
Social organizations that provide assistance and resources for women in need:
- Sojourner Center – Provides a safe haven from domestic violence for women and their children in Arizona.
- Transitions – Works to end poverty and homelessness for women and children in Spokane.
Educational organizations with programs and curriculum specifically for women:
- Heritage University – Empowers a multi-cultural and inclusive student body to overcome the social, cultural, economic and geographic barriers that limit access to higher education. Marie believed in their programs and produced several videos for them.
- Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus & Mary – Dedicated to the full development of the human person through education, contemplation, social justice, and the arts – with a focus on the education and empowerment of the poor and disadvantaged. Marie produced several fund raising videos for their mission.
Environmental organizations that benefit our beautiful planet:
- Stand.earth – Challenges corporations and governments to treat people and the environment with respect, because our lives depend on it.
- Green Corps – Trains organizers, provides field support for today’s critical and environmental campaigns, and graduate activists who possess the skills, temperament and commitment to fight and win tomorrow’s environmental battles.
We were blessed to have Marie in my family’s life. The six of us really miss Marie and are heart broken that she is no longer with us. We love you Marie
I met Marie when she joined Rotary Club and first got to know her when we both volunteered at our club’s Foster KidFest that helps older foster kids find forever families. Her warmth and care for the children were immediately evident. She became involved in so many aspects of the club, donating her time and talents to helping others. I miss her beautiful smile, her loving heart and her friendship. We miss you Marie.
Beloved Marx Cousin who I was blessed to have in my family, looked up to & enjoyed every single memory we shared. Can’t believe she is gone.
Marie was a true friend, a “Rooster” girlfriend for life. I adored her and loved her, and I miss her terribly. She positively impacted so many people during her life I know she is an angel watching over us all. My sincere respect and sympathy to her dear family.
I was a 1970 graduate at Holy Names Academy and Marie was a classmate. I so enjoyed talking to Marie at our pre-50th reunion celebrated in Spokane. Marie was looking forward to traveling and meeting with friends and having new adventures. She was so delightful and positive and a truly beautiful person inside and out.
She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers for her family.
The last time we enjoyed with Marie included a delicious dinner at the Rusty Moose enjoyed by many family members. Followed by a trip to our home on Lake Spokane and a very enjoyable evening pontoon boat ride. A memory of Marie I will cherish for years to come.?
Sissy, what can I say….huge hole in my heart. I hope others hug and appreciate their sisters as often as possible. We always said “I love you” when parting. Last August at Loon Lake we just held each other and cried, before she returned to Arizona. We spoke two days before her heart attack for an hour until Tom hollered “dinner is ready”! She looked fabulous and it was a hilarious and loving conversation. It of course ended with “I Love You Jeanie”.
We were so blessed she came home for two months this summer and was able to say her final good byes to family and friends. Marie, you are missed every day. I have to wonder…Did you some how know? I love you Sissy! Your little Sis Jeanie
My sweet Marie, words can not express the sadness I have in my heart !
I was blessed to know you since 1986.
So happy I was able to spend time with you in Oct 2020
Thank you for introducing me to Skymap. I love looking at the planets now! I always think of you when looking !!!!
You brought me so much joy and laughter !!
You were truly an amazing friend !
Love you to the moon and back !!
❤️?
I first met Marie over coffee at the Rocket Bakery. A half an hour appointment turned into two fun hours of the beginning of our friendship. We laughed so much as we shared our similar Catholic school childhoods, adventures in being single, and career ups and downs. Marie had been invited to join my Rotary club and my job was to be her mentor. She was so excited to become a Rotarian and she took to her responsibilities with fervor. What a great volunteer heart beat inside this beautiful woman. She accomplished so much during her return to Spokane. I am blessed to have known her and to be called her friend.
I met Marie through Rotary. She is the epitome of Service Above Self. My wife and I always felt special and loved when we were with her. She was always present with people, her community, and she radiated happiness and light. She will be missed. A beautiful soul and person.
Love,
The Hochheimer Family
I met Marie in 1977; training to be a Flight Attendant at Hughes Airwest. We were based in Las Vegas. I had lost my roomate, and just like Marie would do, she came to my rescue, offering to let me move in with her and Connie. That’s when the fun began! We had a one bedroom apt., one bed, no air conditioning, but we had a pool! This began a 44 year friendship, of travel, marriages, divorces, kids, remarriages, lots of tears, and lots of laughter. I miss our phone calls, our texts, and her August visits, where we always went boating. She loved boating almost as much as she enjoyed dancing! When I think I want to talk to her, then realize I can’t, I remember her last words to me, Christy we will stilll be soul sisters, even up in heaven!
Marie made sure everyone in her life felt special to her and loved by her. The front of the birthday card, that I received from her one week before her untimely passing, read, “Travel Light, Live Light, Spread the Light, Be the Light.” Marie….we miss you very much, we love you beyond measure, and we will share the light with you again one day.
Fond memories from our early Phoenix Symphony dates and dinners to the rest of the gang of guys and gals before marriages enjoying carefree gatherings filled with laughter and very funny stories. In the fullness of time these are things that will endure long after the sudden shock and numbness of Marie’s passing will fade. Godspeed Marie. Luv & Hugs.
Marie and I were in the same Flight Attendant class (7/27/77) with Hughes Air West. We were at different bases and lost touch but reconnected at a Hughes Flight Attendant Reunion in 2014 and kept in touch with each other mainly through FaceBook after that. She was an amazing woman, truly beautiful inside and out, who adored her family and friends. She will truly be missed.
I met Marie through Robin Allen. What blessing and a gift of life. Marie was always interesting and full of energy. She had great stories which kept one interested and laughing for hours on end.
May she rest in the arms of God.
I cry and laugh remembering Marie. We were friends for 40 years and we were 3 months apart in age.We shared all the drama that life offers in person or across country by Birthday cards.
I have the last one she sent me in May 2020
It said “Well be friends when we’re old and crazy” inside it said Love you Marie
I will cherish it and her forever❤️
Along with my fellow Rotarians, Debbie, Paula and Manny, who have said so many wonderful (and true) things about Marie, I miss her terribly. I was sad to see her move back to Scottsdale but as she said, it was the right decision.
Her beauty radiated from within and it was always visible. She was kind, caring and willing to do whatever she could for others.
I’m glad she and Rhonda and I got to spend a day boating on Priest Lake last July. It was as she said “heaven on earth” and it will have to do until we’re all together again up there.
We were together almost 25 years—met in 1986, divorced in 2010. We had a passionate love affair and a strong marriage for a very long time. We bought 3 homes together, helped raise Chris, buried my Mom and Dad. We were deeply in love.
She was to me–as she was to all of you–open hearted, strong, funny and most of all, loving. Forever grateful for the many, many profound and rich memories of our extraordinary time together. Rest In Peace, May.
Marie was such a good friend. She was full of love. Every time I spoke with Marie I walked away feeling good. She was a light in this world. I miss her so much.
Partners in crime
Angels on the run
Sisters in joy
Hearts of Gold
Souls on fire
The cracking of your heart
The freeing of your Angel Self
Earned wings
Return to the sky, Beloved
I met Marie at Fairwood Retirement Center. Her mother Vivian and my Father Dana were “sweethearts.” Marie and I found ourselves sharing many holiday meals at Fairwood. We chattered non-stop from our first meeting. She was so delightful and easy to talk to. We may have been in our sixties but we often talked about boys and dating!!!
Marie, you would have been so touched by the tributes of all the hearts you touched while on this earth. Thank you for being such a wonderful sister-in-law to me. I am ever grateful for the many talks ~ especially in the later years. Thank you for being such a wonderful Auntie to my children and grandchildren. The love you poured into our hearts will live forever. May you rest in true peace.
Marie was a light to every single individual who ever had the joy of sharing thoughts or words or hugs or even simply space with her. Our years together at Holy Names Academy and Gonzaga University left memories deeply rooted in my core that sprang to life again more than 40 years later at a spontaneous HNA Class of 1970 Spokane gathering in 2013. Marie opened her home and heart, and we spent hours overnight sharing those decades of our lives and how determination, fate, family, and God had brought us to these paths. We became true soul-sisters that day, re-affirmed more or less daily over Facebook, and especially in hours of laughter and tears over 2 days in July 2018 when the Class of ’70 gathered again, too impatient to wait for the anticipated 50th Reunion in 2020 that was never able to materialize. I’m so very, very thankful for our impatience! Today’s Celebration reiterated how much Marie was a LIGHT in every life she touched. As Fr. Ganz said, she still dwells in light and clarity in our memories. We will always know her by heart.
My granddaughter met Marie at a riverside dance in Post Falls Idaho when I was busy getting us food. Kaylee has a wonderful gift of photography, art, videos
and more. Marie encouraged her to keep at it which Kaylee has done expanding her talents. Marie really made a difference in her life and we tried to stay in close contact letting her know what that meant to Kaylee. We are sad to hear of her passing so late. That would explain why we all of a sudden we lost contact with Marie.
I just recently met Marie about two years ago before she moved back to Scottsdale through a mutual friend and like most of you, realize there just wasn’t enough time with her. She accepted me completely, listened, and laughed without inhibition. I was amazed at the life she lived and Marie still respected my life as if it were just as amazing. I visited Arizona a year ago and went out to dinner. It was such a joy. Wine, laughter, and intriguing conversation permeated our evening; I will always hold it close to my heart. I’m truly grateful, Marie.
Marie lived across the street from our home in Spokane and she was a delight to know and we felt like we had known her for years. When she first moved into her house, she went out and locked the door behind herself and left the house key inside. She came walking over to our house asked my husband Kerry if he could come and help her get a window open so she could get inside. He took a short step ladder over and got the window open and helped get back inside. We often laughed together talking about her breaking into her own house with the help of Kerry. She always said he was a special friend along with myself. We loved her for the first time we met her.
Marie’s inner light was a beacon for all, and her laughter and stories were like no other. Her zest for life, determination, flair, creativity, and kindness are just a few of the many ways she is an example for all of us of a life well-lived. May we bring Marie’s memory and her beautiful essence to each new day and strive to always share our best selves with others.
I am blessed to have known you Marie, as part of the Spokane Rooster sisters. And my heart goes out to Jeannine, Michael and Martin, your extended family and all Marie’s friends and colleagues.
Every time the sun is shining, or a light breaks through the clouds, I will think of you, dear friend Marie. Love to all,
Diane
Marie – a true friend who I miss every day. Thank you for your hugs, your smile, your JOY for life. Thankful for your friendship. Blessed to have you forever in my heart my dear Rooster Sister.
I wanted to share with you all a beautiful song that Marie sent me a week before she passed. My husband, Rick, and I had just spent a lovely week with Marie in Scottsdale at her home where Sean filmed several of the remembrances you saw in the ceremony today. We were moving our daughter, Macauley to Scottsdale and had the fortune of getting to stay with Marie. In true Auntie Marie style, she had already taken Mac and her roommate Jaycee under her wing and helped them move to Scottsdale, hosting them while they found a place a month before. What a beautiful week at Marie’s place. It was lovely to see Marie so very happy and in her element. Her new home was beautifully put together and welcoming just like Marie. Every day, she welcomed us in the morning with fresh Sunflowers on the table and sat on her lanai watching the hummingbirds all around us; she made healthy smoothies for breakfast. Every night after we had dinners together at her house or Tom’s we sat out on her lanai and enjoyed long talks together, she, Rick and I. On October 28th the day we left to drive back to Spokane, we stopped outside of Salt Lake City, and there on my phone text was the simplest of messages from Marie, whose warm hug (a hug like no other) I had felt some 12 hours earlier, subject line “Good night Rooster Sister” then she shared the song — Until we meet again — for me to go to sleep to. I share this remembrance in song with you here sung by Sean Mendez as that is the version she loved. It really is a beautiful rendition that feels so like Marie – beautiful, inside and out; full of joy and light and there with us all. So Marie, until we meet again, love, peace and light – love and miss you so! Kim and family – Rick, Alex, Skye & Dan and Macauley
To Marie’s family and friends my heartfelt condolences at such a loss…Marie was truly one of life’s greatest blessings. We met in the 1980’s and stayed enduring friends throughout. We shared so much laughter and also the tears as we weaved our way thorough this grand adventure. What a joy and inspiration she was to me and all who knew her. I will miss her beyond words but keep the faith that we will be together again. God speed my beautiful friend…I love you.
Marie, once a Rotarian, always a Rotarian. always a person who helped others first. True nobility is neglect of self. That was Marie. Noble to the core helping others. I am a better soul knowing her. I wish her family and friends peace and healing as we remember the light she gave this world. May it shine on in her memory. Peace–Brian Newberry, fellow Rotary 21 colleague
Marie- You were such a bright, beautiful light inside and out. You made everyone around you feel so important, including me and my family. You were so kind to me and my boys, and always went out of your way to make us feel special. I strive to learn from you and live my life to the fullest and to also make everyone around me feel loved and valued, something you seemed to do with ease on a daily basis. I will miss your beautiful smile and your true sincerity.
I loved Marie for a substantial part of my life and will never get over losing her.
Marie, It was so evident from the first day you joined Rotary 21 that you were a
very special person and you proved that to be true from that day forward. You
were a delight to know and to become friends with. Such an important person
to our club and to Spokane. It was such a privilege for me to present you with
your first Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. You will always be remembered by all of
your friends and associates in Spokane!
Marie lives on in her family and friends as well as the multitudes of people whose lives she touched. I am so sorry for those left behind, family, friends and colleagues, to miss her physical presence, but I know she will be always present and watching over her loved ones. Marie was a classmate at Holy Names and I can only describe her as joyous and that is how I will remember her.
I don’t recall any conversations with Marie that were not uplifting and authentic. We always seemed to connect quickly at family gatherings, and after a minute or two we were honestly sharing and connecting. I regret that I did not know her more deeply – we did really connect pretty deeply, but that’s not the same as knowing all the parts and pieces that expressed themselves through Marie as Marie. It is a loss.
I have many happy memories of Marie – beginning with her time in my classroom at Holy Names Academy, Spokane, in the 1960’s! It was so great to get reconnected in 2014-16 when I learned about Hummingbird Productions, her video company, and she began working with me at Heritage University to create 14 short videos (3-4 minutes) to illustrate faculty practices that could be very helpful to students who came from homes where college-going was not a part of the culture or experience. These videos are still getting viewed on YouTube, and the overall name for the series, “Breakthrough Strategies” was Marie’s invention. She stayed with me and 3 other Holy Names Sisters who live in Toppenish, Yakima Valley, when she was working on the videos, and we enjoyed her bubbly personality, her interest in everyone’s work, and her appreciation of our prayers and support. She was truly a gift from God in our work and lives, and I send loving condolences to all her family! Video links are at http://www.heritage.edu/institute
se in Scootsdale and Ricfixed for us we had a great visita delious dinner time my Rick fixed a delious dinner for us. Your home was beautiful just like you, I remember my friend Diana and I found your apartment in Las Vagus and you were fixing your makeup for a .modeling job you were talented in so many ways . I MISS YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE AUNTIE vELDA
Marie was a beautiful soul and her legacy will live on in so many people. She truly made the world a better place. We were so blessed to see her in August in Coville.
The memories were so true to her spirit and the lives she touched.