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Marilyn "Mardi" Sill

Marilyn "Mardi" Sill obituary, Seattle, WA

Marilyn Sill Obituary

Marilyn "Mardi" Sill

Mardi passed away peacefully on December 4, 2015, age 88, at Park Shore Retirement Community in Seattle. Her family was by her side.

Born in Seattle, Mardi lived in Australia until she was 14, where her father had moved the family to found Claude Neon Ltd, and expand it into Australia's premier signage company. She adored her parents, both University of Washington graduates, and fondly recalled her childhood in Australia, and the fun of helping her parents entertain guests in their Sydney home, and country home on weekends. At the country place, she was a proficient horseback rider and loved her horse, Trixie. Her father built a tennis court, and taught her how to play. She became an avid tennis player, and fan of the game for the rest of her life. With the outbreak of WWII, her family returned to Seattle.

Mardi was an excellent student, completing high school at age 16 with a 4.0 GPA. She was Franklin High School's 1943 Valedictorian. She pledged Delta Gamma Sorority at the University of Washington, and treasured these lifelong friendships. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the UW, and Phi Beta Kappa.

In 1948, Mardi married Thomas E. Sill (who predeceased her in 1995) and raised 4 children in Windermere. Family activities were central to her life. She loved kids and her home was a welcoming place for friends. Over the years, she skillfully nurtured a beautiful garden surrounding her home.

Mardi was passionate about education. As PTA president, she encouraged parent participation. She also taught in Head Start, and volunteered with the League of Women Voters, and other community organizations.

She loved friends and activities at the Seattle Tennis Club, serving as Board Vice President, Tennis Week Chairman, and Newsletter Editor. She also enjoyed the Sunset Club, and served as Treasurer.

After her kids were grown, Mardi returned to study Accounting at the UW, and later volunteered as Treasurer for the Seattle Art Museum's rental gallery. That experience lead to joining Safeco Insurance in 1976 as its first female management trainee. She eventually headed its Department of Management Analysts providing consulting services to both Seattle-based divisions, and branches throughout the United States.

In retirement, Mardi enjoyed traveling to Europe, Asia, and South America, playing bridge and tennis, and just relaxing with friends and family. She loved the Symphony. She also treasured a loving friendship with Gerry Prince, until his death in 2008.

Mardi is survived by four children; Eric Sill, Brian Sill, Dan Sill, and Kumuda Kali; daughters-in-law Beth Sill, Karen Sill, and Cheryl Sill, Ellen Ferguson, and grandchildren Emma Sill, Tyler Sill, Ashdon Sill, and Kadon Sill, and nieces and nephews.

Mardi's family remembers her most as a devoted mother imparting values of integrity, humility, citizenship, a great sense of humor, and kindness towards others. She often said, "Smile and the world will smile with you", and when the chips were down said, "Count your blessings". Above everything else, she was our Mom who we dearly loved, and will greatly miss.

A family reception will be held for Mardi. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice. See sign Mardi's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Dec. 6, 2015.

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4 Entries

MARGE DUNNINGTON

December 8, 2015

Your Mom enriched the lives of her "sisters" as a role model in each of her new challenging, adventurous chapters.
Her final chapter demonstrated how to live gracefully with severely diminished body and milieu.
I miss her brilliant mind, her wit, charm, flair and, above all, friendship.
Marge/MargieAnn Dunnington

Nancy Chism

December 7, 2015

No words can begin to express my love for Mardi and all the Sill family. The Sill family and Chisms were intertwined throught our our childhood. Diana, my best friend. My brothers were brothers to Eric, Brian and Dan. Kick the can, the beach club, school, we were all together. Mardi was my second mom. I wish all of you peace in the knowledge that she lived a blessed life. And we all were blessed to have known her. Love always, Nancy Chism

Jane Summerfelt

December 6, 2015

To all of the Sill family - I send my condolences and warmest thoughts of your sweet mom! I spent as much time in your home as I did in my own for many years and could count on acceptance and support for all of our escapades! I saw your mom a few years back and she was her calm and smart self - so proud of each of you! With love, Janie Zema Summerfelt

December 6, 2015

What a delightful mother in law and friend these past 30 years. Gracious, smart, funny. I have many fond and fun memories including this past week when she passed as gracefully as she lived. The wonderful staff and aides at Park Shore were so devoted to her and had many fun memories to share. A life well lived.

Ellen Ferguson

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