Marie Elizabeth Eckstrom

1924 - 2018

August 25, 1924 - February 27, 2018 Marie Elizabeth Eckstrom passed away of natural causes at the age of 93 in Downey, California. Marie was born in Hoquiam, Washington, to Thomas F. Eckstrom and Marie E. Egge. She is survived by her brother Tom F. Eckstrom of Indio, California. Marie attended the University of Oregon and finished her education at the University of Washington. She entered the business world where she excelled and applied her special skills to owning/running her 3rd generation Los Angeles-based family building products company. She was a member of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women Club. She had her private pilot license and loved to skipper her boat off Southern California waters. Marie has been recognized and honored by many different organizations. USC/Norris Hospital where she volunteered over 10,000 hours and helped establish the USC/Norris Auxiliary Endowment and the Norris Breast Cancer Center. She became their chair of the volunteers for eight years and was a major financial donor. Marie was a longtime supporter to The Boys Republic. She was a volunteer for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey to which she gave 7680 hours of volunteer time. She was an avid gardener and generously donated to the Rancho Restorative Garden. She was proud of and renowned for her heritage tomatoes plants. In 1959, she became a founding member and a 60-year active volunteer of the Downey Symphony. Marie remained the Treasurer of the Guild until her passing. With Marie's "special interest in the Grand Opera," she became an associate of The Music Center in Los Angeles in 1966. In 2007 she received the U.S. President's Council Service and Civic Participation Award. She also donated time to the League of Women Voters. They also honored her with an award for her volunteering. Marie always said she felt like she didn't deserve all the recognition. Her view of giving was simple. "I am trying to payback for all the good things I have." Marie was offered pay at times but is quoted as saying, "the gratification of helping is enough reward. All the people I have worked for are very appreciative. That is something money can't buy!" Marie would add, "Who we are is what we do." Marie will be buried at sea with relatives in attendance.