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Mardi Wormhoudt Obituary
Mardi Wormhoudt, credited with "changing the face of Santa Cruz" during her twenty-one year tenure on the City Council and Board of Supervisors - particularly during her service as Mayor following the Loma Prieta earthquake - died on October 21, 2009 at her home in Santa Cruz with her family by her side. In addition to the indelible mark that Mardi made on Santa Cruz, she will be fondly remembered both for her sense of style and her fierce commitment to social justice and environmental protection.
Her children, Jonathan of New York City, and Lisa, Zachary, and Jacob of Santa Cruz survive her. She also leaves four grandchildren, Adam, Noah, Dylan and Israel of Santa Cruz, a brother Daniel Rolfs of Benicia, and a sister Mary McDevitt of Mill Valley. Her beloved husband Ken preceded her in death in 1997.
The daughter of Mary Jane and Daniel Rolfs, Mardi was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The family moved to Chicago when Mardi was four, then to Paso Robles, California, and eventually to San Francisco, where Mardi attended high school.
Mardi met her future husband Ken Wormhoudt in San Francisco. After marrying, they moved to Southern California where, as a young mother, Mardi received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with highest honors from the California State University at Long Beach, and Ken practiced as a landscape architect. In 1975 they moved to Brookdale, and in 1979 to Santa Cruz.
Mardi became active in community affairs, serving as a member of the Bay View School Site Council, the Westside Health Center Board of Directors, and the Downtown Neighbors Association, prior to her election to the City Council in 1981.
In the hours immediately following the 1989 earthquake, Mardi is remembered for standing with families of those missing, injured and killed downtown. She shared their shock and disbelief, offering comfort, and emerging as the leader of a city that lay in rubble. She toured the devastation with political leaders and popular icons ranging from President George H.W. Bush to Mick Jagger, and including the Reverends Billy Graham and Jesse Jackson. But she kept her focus on how to bring together a community, with long-time divisions around issues of growth, development and equity, around the rebuilding of a downtown that "truly reflected everyone's values".
As the downtown came back, Mardi became the city's "forever mayor". Though she went on to serve twelve productive years on the County Board of Supervisors, she was frequently stopped and recognized as "the mayor" by many who remembered her visible leadership during the 1989 earthquake and recovery.
As a member of the Board of Supervisors from 1995 to 2007, Mardi also changed the face of the County, protecting thousands of acres of Santa Cruz's breathtaking north coast landscape by placing it in public ownership. She also shepherded reform of the juvenile justice system to broaden opportunities and prospects for more youth by engaging families and developing alternatives to incarceration
In recent years she traveled with friends to the Galapagos Islands, Viet Nam and Croatia, often visited her son Jonathan in New York City, and spent time with her family in Santa Cruz. She also taught a Community Studies course at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Although Mardi was very accomplished in the public and political arena, family and friends gave her the greatest joy.
A memorial celebration of Mardi's life will be held on November 7, 2009, 11:00 A.M., at UCSC, Stevenson Event Center.
Donations may be made in honor of Mardi to Gemma, a Program of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz, 501 Soquel Avenue, Suite E, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mardi Wormhoudt
August 9, 2016
Wonderfull
ella seneres bautista de la cruz
September 16, 2014
Mardi- was thinking about you the other day. Thank you for all your good works for humans and for the earth. Rest In Peace sister.
Dee Vogel
October 20, 2010
It's been a year, and not a day goes by that I am not reminded of Mardi in some way. So many of the good things in Santa Cruz - beautiful, hard-won things that are taken for granted - bear her mark. For me, it's as if the sparkle went out of our town. No one can do what she did, with the brains, energy and style that she had. She was my hero. I miss her as a friend, and wonder what will become of our community without her extraordinary leadership. I send thoughts of comfort to her bereft family.
James Kendall
August 10, 2010
When my husband and I got married in 2008 the first day the courts allowed it, Mardi Wormhoudt was the one who married us. She'd volunteered her time for any couple who wanted an onsite ceremony that day. She will always be a part of our wonderful happiness. I just wish she could've lived to see more of it.
Patty Damron
January 6, 2010
Mardi Wormhoudt was one of my heroes and I so admired her strength and resolve. The few times I stood in the county chambers to address the board of supervisors on critical local issues, she really paid attention. Living on the North Coast, I see and enjoy, every day, the fruits of her labors to help preserve the green belt and wildlife in and around Santa Cruz. She is a great example for us all of a compassionate activist who cared about and fought for the common good.
Elbina Rafizadeh
November 3, 2009
Mardi Wormhoudt will be missed by everyone who have had the opportunity and privilege to have worked with her.
Ted Benhari
November 2, 2009
Mardi's death leaves a huge void, but her life serves as an inspiration to all of us to work hard to make our community better and more just, and preserve our incredibly beautiful environment. She was a brilliant strategist, articulate and fearless advocate, and a warm and funny friend. Her assistance and counsel were invaluable as I worked with her to preserve and protect the North Coast and its citizens. I will miss her terribly, as will all who were touched by her, and there were so many.
Andrea Smith
October 28, 2009
Mardi Wormhoudt was an inspiration as a tireless advocate for women's rights. She was not afraid to "push the limits" to achieve what others had only dreamed of doing.
As an Executive Director of a local non profit and later the Coordinator for the County Women's Commission, I had the privilege to interact with her and benefit from her guidance. Her presence will definitely be missed.
The world, especially Santa Cruz, is a better place because of her.
Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo
October 28, 2009
Mardi Wormhoudt was a remarkable woman. She was a leader, an activist, a mentor and a dear friend who touched the lives of many. She made it her life’s mission to make a positive difference in the world and she did. I was blessed to have known and worked with her and I will always miss her.
My prayers are with her family, friends and the community during this most difficult time.
October 27, 2009
We were all so fortunate to have Mardi Wormhoudt in our midst.
I am thankful for your loving protection of our beautiful redwood forests and many shimmering streams within. The fish thank you, Mardi.
October 27, 2009
I am one of those women activists in our community who directly benefited from Mardi's tutelage, guidance, tips, direction. As a woman, and as a progressive labor and community organizer, I could always count on Mardi to remind me that it was totally okay to be tough and hold to my convictions and principles but to be smart and strategic in how I did that.
I'm lucky I was able to thank her for that over the years. We got to talk out loud about what it's like to be a strong woman in a political environment and to appreciate each other for that which we had in common.
And we could talk about our deep love of shoes and handbags too, thus proving that strong, opinionated political women are multi-dimensional in a silly sort of way.
I already deeply miss all that and more that she was. I believe that people live on as we carry them in our hearts and speak of them out loud.
Teach your children well, as she taught us.
Nora Hochman
Soquel, California
Don Forbus
October 26, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
The Alley's
October 26, 2009
When I am dead, my dearest
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.
I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.
By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation
Barbara Garcia
October 26, 2009
I worked with Mardi for such a long time, she was so supportive of services for Latinos in the County and I could always count on her to support. As we were working on the response to the earthquake in Watsonville, she was in Santa Cruz holding up the city. I will never forget here and always with respect for her work and commitment to Santa Cruz County.
Steve Hansen
October 26, 2009
Of all the City leaders it was the greatest honor to get my Proclamation from Mardi
Thank you will miss you
Chris Krohn
October 26, 2009
It has been difficult these past days knowing that Mardi is no longer here with us. I, like many, rested more easily having her thinking about our quality of life here and working for a better present and future for all Santa Cruzans. Even in retirement she kept on. Mardi was a special politician because she was that rare combination of tenacity, rigor, and CONSISTENCY. You knew where Mardi stood. She stood with the homeless; she stood with the workers; she stood with the bicycle community; she stood with small business owners; she stood for fairness and empathy, and she stood perhaps most significantly for peace WITH justice. Mardi provided wise advice too. I could always turn to her when I was on the SC City Council for an informed opinion. I will forever be grateful for her words and her deeds within and without the progressive community. Having travelled the length and breadth of this country I am convinced that we are a very special American community because of the supervisorial leadership we have had from Gary Patton and Mardi Wormhoudt. Thank you Mardi, I miss you.
Tim Goncharoff
October 26, 2009
A great mom, a great friend and a great community leader. You will be long and fondly remembered.
Naomi Brauner
October 26, 2009
Mardi's passing leaves a hole in Santa Cruz and my life. She was a public figure, teaching us by example what good government looks like and how to successfully make lasting change. But Mardi also meant so much to me personally, as a friend, guide, and teacher. I'll miss you so much, Mardi.
Dawn Johnson
October 25, 2009
An awesome person. She is one of my heros and will be greatly missed.
Kate Hitt
October 25, 2009
Mardi was a courageous, fantastic woman -a doer and thinker, I am very grateful to have met one of the strongest advocates for the rights of people I have ever known. I will miss her.
Mary Lou Alexander-Andresen
October 25, 2009
Appreciated for the questions she asked and the sense to make sure that she got an answer.
Neil Cossman
October 24, 2009
Zach and Jake, our hearts go out to you and your family. I have good memories from knowing you and your mother and father in Santa Cruz, from the time we met at Bayview School 30 years ago. She was an inspiration to everyone. Neil, Matt and Mike Cossman
April Welsh
October 24, 2009
Mardi,
You will live on in the hearts of the people and the soul of the land....
You will be celebrated for years to come.
Blessings to your family.
Mark Mertz
October 24, 2009
Mardi,
Beyond all the wonderful things you did for Santa Cruz, you were foremost a wonderful and inspirational friend.
It was my blessing to have known you and I will miss you.
Irene van der Zande
October 23, 2009
Our thoughts are with your family and friends. We are so sorry for your loss.
Mardi's legacy will live on in the beautiful nature she saved for future generations and in the countless lives she touched.
Best wishes,
Irene and Ed
Bill & Marilyn Fravel
October 23, 2009
We are so sad to hear that Mardi has passed away. Bleesings on her family and dear friends. We will always be grateful for her work with the people of the No Coast and Davenport.
Rebecca Adams
October 23, 2009
Words cannot express the sadness I felt, hearing of Mardi's passing. A true champion of civil rights and loving guardian of Santa Cruz's Northern Coast, Mardi exemplified the essence of a true leader. I have a photo of Mardi embracing me, after reading and presenting me with a SC City Council Proclamation, at a Gay Pride Celebration, in the 90's. Her support of Santa Cruz's diverse community, was at all times, blanketed with love. Santa Cruz is a better place for having had Mardi's leadership; and now, her legacy. Rest in Peace dear one; you will truly be missed. Peace and blessings to you and your family.
Joanne Foxxe
October 23, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Cheryl & Bob Cords
October 23, 2009
Our thoughts and LOVE are with the family in your time of grief. May all your memories bring comfort to you.
Love Bob & Cheryl Cords
Christine Maddox
October 23, 2009
I am so sorry your life was cut short. Thank you for all your hard work here in Santa Cruz, especially during the earthquake. You gave us all good leadership in the wake of tragidy. May God hold you in his arms again. God bless your family and Santa Cruz.
cliff Tillman
October 22, 2009
Mardi was a true champion for working people in the county of Santa Cruz. We lost a giant who was a believer of people. It is something that is considered uncommon in politics today.
Kristen Chambers
October 22, 2009
Thank you, Mardi, for your presence and persistence in all that you believed in. You will always be an inspiration to me.
Michael Yankaus
October 22, 2009
My condolences to the Wormhoudt family. Mardi was a very special leader of the Santa Cruz Community, and we are all saddened to hear of her passing. Thank you Mardi for everything you did for the best city in the USA!
Bella Hughes
October 22, 2009
I will always remember you for standing up for your beliefs. Thank you for supporting keeping Santa Cruz the beautiful and warm place I live in.
Bella and Al Hughes
Marie Henley
October 22, 2009
I will miss you Mardi, you made Santa Cruz a place I was proud to live. Thank you for all you gave. My prayers are with your family.
Steve Weisser
October 22, 2009
Mardi was a true Santa Cruz legend. She was missed Saturday at the downtown event and her spirit will live with us forever.
Deb Wirkman
October 22, 2009
My deepest sympathy to Mardi's family and friends at this very sad time. I will certainly miss her wise and caring influence on our community.
John and Pat Bakalian
October 22, 2009
You left a very big footprint, Mardi.
We will all miss you. Your presence will be felt for many years in Santa Cruz.
Rocky Festa
October 22, 2009
When my partner and I were applying for our marriage license in June 2008, there was Mardi down at the County Court House on Ocean Street presiding over same-sex marriages. I'll never forget that. Thanks for everything you did for Santa Cruz, Mardi.
Michael Beattie
October 22, 2009
The world would be a much better place were there more dedicated, thoughtful representatives, who followed the exemplary standards that you set.
michael bush
October 22, 2009
It was a true pleasure to be associoated with Mardi over the years. Cool runnings.
Laurie Mitchell
October 22, 2009
I felt confident that Mardi was looking out for us Santa Cruzans. It was always a joy to run into her on the dance floor! Thank you for your dedication and service Mardi, and to her family for sharing her with us. She will be remembered with love.
October 22, 2009
Mardi,
You are in my thoughts you helped so many people especially after the 1989 quake.
Thank you so much
Roy Blaine
October 22, 2009
Rest well Mardi. It was a pleasure to know you.
October 22, 2009
Thank you so much for your dedication to helping and improving our community.
richard sum
October 22, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Fran Smith
October 22, 2009
My mind is having difficulty imagining a world without Mardi in it working away helping others. You will be missed. Thanks for all of your service during the years. May your family be blessed and comforted knowing how loved you are.
Jayne Speros
October 22, 2009
Mardi, you are tatooed in my heart. Thank you for your dedication to Santa Cruz at her most trying and saddest days, as well as the happy and celebratory. You were an inspiration to me, and I thank your family for sharing you with us.
My prayers and thoughts are with your family and friends, and I just wanted to say yay to all of you. She will be missed, but never forgotten!
Jim Jackson
October 22, 2009
May perpetual light shine upon her.
October 22, 2009
What an amazing woman, with an amazing legacy.
Sue Reynoldson
October 22, 2009
Mardi redefined "politician" to mean a public official who keeps campaign promises. A committed feminist, she was still not afraid to say she was "uncomfortable around the Goddess." She had us in tears when she told how she "slept" with John Laird... at a "sleep in" on the concrete slabs outside the Chancellor's Office. Mardi could speak truth to power for an hour without notes and never say "um." Her work with the United Farm Workers Union was exemplary. She was always there for the underdog, whether they could vote or not. We have lost a community treasure. Deepest condolences to her family.
Rachel Goodman
October 22, 2009
I'm saddened to hear of Mardi's passing. She was a tireless advocate for the north coast and a courageous woman.
October 22, 2009
Mardi:
We will miss you sorely.
Bill Friedland
Joan Friedland
Christopher Smith
October 22, 2009
Mardi, I was always inspired by your clarity and your support...through a very rough patch. You encouraged those around you to be their best and accepted no excuses for anything less. Thank you.
Kris Kibak
October 22, 2009
Mardi, it was always a pleasure when I would come home and find you and your friends hanging out with my mom. Since I was a little kid I have nothing but good memories of you. Thanks for everything, you will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mardi's family and friends.
October 22, 2009
Dear Mardi, you were so good for Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz was good for you. You will be missed by all who knew the goodness in your heart.
Jeffrey Ringold
October 22, 2009
For all of Mardi's well known political toughness, she had a very warm, sensitive, funny side. In her politics, she made the very important choice that how she appeared mattered far less than the courage of her convictions. She was highly intelligent, strongly opinionated, and had a profound, relentless care for people and place -- far more than her critics would ever understand. Even when I saw her bristly side operating, I could also see a certain sensitivity at work beneath it. And the bottom line is that she made a great, positive, enduring difference, the kind that can only be made by people of great courage. I will miss Mardi very much, and will always be grateful for the many positive contributions that she made.
Bill Frick
October 22, 2009
I will certainly miss you!
With everlasting love.
Don Montgomery
October 22, 2009
Our Deepest Condolences from the Mavsurfer Crew.
Bob Mulholland
October 22, 2009
Mardi- I'll miss you. I enjoyed knowing you and working with you in Santa Cruz politics in the 1980s. Thanks for everything! Bob Mulholland, Campaign Advisor, Ca Democratic Party
Jodi Frediani
October 22, 2009
So sorry to lose such a bright light and brilliant mind much too soon. We will miss you Mardi, but your gifts to our community will live on.
Tisha Jones
October 22, 2009
Mardi Wormhoudt might have had a different opinion than you...but she listened. She was a very nice person.
John Barnes
October 22, 2009
Mardi, the North Coast would not be what it is today without your strong support. Thank you.
Maeko Bradshaw
October 22, 2009
Dear Mardi
Thank you for inspiring me to be a great leader one day. Forever in my heart,
Maeko
Kathy Weidlich
October 22, 2009
Dearest Mardi, thank you for your work and gifts. Our loss is Heavens' gain.
Linda Lemaster
October 22, 2009
Mardi, thank you profoundly for so many courageous moments and your true self. My very deep sympathies to your family and loved ones.
Gary Patton
October 22, 2009
So sad you're gone, Mardi! You were a great political leader who helped make self-government work in our community - of by and for the people!
Kim Beecher
October 21, 2009
Thank you, Mardi, for your integrity and for working so hard for all of us. Love, Kim
Alex Viera
October 21, 2009
Zach and Jake, your mom was a great and respected lady. Our hearts go out to you at this time of such a great loss.
Alex & Gigi
October 21, 2009
I am so so so sorry that she is gone.
October 21, 2009
Mardi was a true friend to the Santa Cruz SPCA and to the people of Santa Cruz. She was passionate and caring and will be missed.
Lisa Carter
Director
Santa Cruz SPCA
Kennedy Cosker
October 21, 2009
I am shocked! It came so sudden...she is a true legend! A leader in every way. She somehow knew how to protect what we had, yet able to look forward to see what was needed.
I want to send healing energy to all her family and friends. I know how emotional this must be for you all.Lets all take a moment to rise to celebrating Marti.
I work have worked for the County for 15+ years and I know I speak for all our County, that Marti has been a leader who have helped us all, she has always performed from the highest inetgrity for all of us in the county.
It is truly a sad day for all of us. Let's follow Marti's lead and serve to protect and serve as the guardians of what we have in our beautiful county.
it is so important to lead by example. Marti and her family have raised to this level. I commend all the Wormhoudts! They have given us a lifetime of some of the most amazing people of our time. It is a solemn occasion for us all.
peace to Santa Cruz...
Let us move forward. Let us always remmeber our Santa Cruz Supervisor Marti Wormhaoudt! snf snf
Tom Graves
October 21, 2009
Mardi was passionate about three things: her family, her community, and her friends. She taught me a lot about public service and transparency, and about acting on my convictions, no matter that doing so might bring me some trouble. And by being a good and faithful friend to me, she made it incumbent on me to be a good and faithful friend to others in turn. She was kind to me when I needed kindness the most. I will miss her so much. My thoughts are with Zeke and Zach and Jon and Lisa now especially, and all the rest who had a connection to her as well. We are all diminished by her passing. Thank you, Mardi, for all you did for so many.
Kater
October 21, 2009
Mardi,
You have long been a bright star, a guiding star, in our community. Thank you! I'll miss you.
Kathleen O'Mara
October 21, 2009
After the 1989 earthquake, Mardi was quoted in the Sentinel as saying "We will rebuild. It will be a beautiful place. But it won't be THAT place". I never forgot that comment. It was mature, realistic, but also poignant and heartbroken. It helped me to understand and begin the process of wrapping my mind around the insanity of the quake. I always appreciated her leadership at that moment, and I will never forget that comment that she made.
Gloria Lorenzo
October 21, 2009
Santa Cruz has lost a woman of valor, a woman of integrity,a woman who served her community at the worst of times, and in the highest traditions of a True Public Servant! We Thank You and Miss You, Mardi
JESSIE LOPEZ
October 21, 2009
ARE PRAYERES GO OUT TO THE WORMHOUDT FAMILY ZACK AND JAKE YOUR MOM WILL BE MISS. LOPITO & RUFFO
Kate Minott
October 21, 2009
Dearest Mardi,
So many wonderful remembrances of you in different modes. Thank you for encouraging young (and perhaps not so young) women to speak up, to be involved in the politics of our community.
And, thank you, too, for assuring me of the restorative value of one's down-time spent shopping, topped off by a bit of time at John's hair salon. BRAVA for a life well-lived and much love to your children and grandchildren.
anthony ruffo
October 21, 2009
MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS GO TO THE FAMILY,& MOST IMPORTANTLY JAKE AND ZACK........YOUR MOM WAS A GREAT ASSET TO SANTA CRUZ. SHE WILL B MISSED!!! RUFFO & LOPITO
Paul Hostetter
October 21, 2009
Mardi was a rare and wonderful human being. Through a number of issues over the years, I was fortunate enough to be able to work with her, work for her, and learn from her. Through her wit, her dazzling intelligence and unerring focus, and her dedication to simply doing things right, her life was a gift to her family, her friends, and her community. We were blessed.
Clarkie
October 21, 2009
I will forever be indebted for all Mardi has done for our community; my gratitude is overflowing.
Zach and Jake, my thoughts are with you. Thanks for having the best Mom ever.
Love,
Clarkie
R. Jesse McLaren
October 21, 2009
Mardi:
I wish I were capable of duplicating all your gifts and good works for the City and County.
You were someone who proved that government officials can be, and often are, the best of our community.
You are missed, and will not be forgotten.
God bless you.
Peace.
Chris Kilgus
October 21, 2009
I was so proud of you after the '89 earthquake walking through town with Present Bush Sr. God's speed Mardi.
Maryellen Boyle
October 21, 2009
The City will sorely miss Mardi's intelligent dedication to the community.
Christa Fraser
October 21, 2009
My condolences to your family and friends, Mardi. I didn't know you well, but I enjoyed taking care of you and your friends and family at Clouds over the years. You were always a pleasure.
May you rest in peace and be remembered well always.
Christa
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