Mildred Young Marin

I wrote this yesterday:

Today is Mildred´s birthday. She would have been 106 today. Because my birthday is only two days before hers, we used to celebrate our birthdays together. I´m writing this as I think of her and miss her.

I´ve been an adjunct professor at Hunter College since 2010. Mildred and I met when she wandered into my graduate-level course "History and Theory of Documentary" at Hunter College in 2011.

She wrote to me and requested to sit in. Assuming she was one of those graduate students who completed the analytical courses but still wanted to study, I accepted the request. She then requested two more things: to be seated very close to the screen (revealing that she was 91 years old) and to be exempted from exam papers. I asked if she was a matriculated student. She replied that she was a senior citizen and taking courses she likes. She didn´t know my course was for grad students. I asked the director of my program, and he said I could say no because it is for degree-seeking grad students. But Mildred said she loved documentaries and wanted to learn. I thought intergenerational learning could be fun and mutually beneficial, so I accepted both requests.

That was one of the best decisions I´ve made. Everyone loved her, and she quickly became part of the class. She had weak vision and brought her chair really close to the screen. It was a history class with readings, screenings, and discussions. She soon became an important reference in the classroom because she knew so much about what was happening in NYC and in the US in the 1930s and 40s! She completed all 15 weeks of learning and, of course, attended a communal dinner gathering to celebrate the end of the semester.

We remained friends for years after that. A few dates we had, at a pizza parlor, and at the Japan Society (to see films), are my fond memories. We talked and laughed together. She told me about the various healers in her family. She said she used to take classes with her husband after his retirement, but she took some time off after his passing, and attending my class was her comeback to life learning after a few years of mourning. Even after my class, she was taking classes for composition, Shakespeare, and political science!

Around the time she moved to the senior housing in uptown, I also had to move further into deep Brooklyn, so we became far from each other. I occasionally stopped by before my class, and we talked on the phone. I wish I could visit her more. But when we met, she was always welcoming, asking me hundreds of questions about my grown-up daughter, my husband, my jobs, my passion projects, and my life. I was always so impressed by how clear her mind and hearing were. It must have been so hard for her not to be able to read or watch films. Mildred will be my role model forever for her kindness, openness, and desire to keep learning.

Happy 106th birthday, Mildred. I miss you, but I will see you in the moon, in the grass, and in my footsteps. Thank you for everything you gave me.

Love,
Reiko

I was blessed to have the honor and privilege to have worked with Mildred as her caregiver for years. Mildred was an extraordinary and an amazing person. Her sense of humor was unmatched. Her life was full of selflessness and love. She was generous and thankful for every little thing that was done for her.
Mildred was such a kind person. She warmed my heart with her gracious presence everyday. I can recalled days I used to read her stories and she was so appreciative and thankful.
I have so much fond memories of us together like days I would sit at her bedside and watched her take a nap and she would wake up and saw me and said it's your time to take a nap and I in turn will watch you I couldn't help but laugh but that's who Mildred was thoughtful sweet and beautiful.
Mildred's life was defined with humility, strength, kindness and softness. She was an inspiration to me and others. Her love was limitless and her life was beautifully lived.
I'm so grateful for the time we spend together. She was such a beautiful and sweet soul. I will hold you in my heart forever and your spirit will remain with me forever.
Thank you Mildred for being who you were. You will be missed deeply and always be remembered. Your legacy lives on in the wonderful qualities you have imparted to your children and grandchildren. Forever loved.
Eula.

I might not be related by blood but I am so fortunate to be related by the love and kindness you have given me for over 70 years. My heart is broken and my deepest sympathy to your beautiful family to which I'm honored to be a part. I love you forever.
Cinda Santini

This is a beautifully written obituary. Everything I know about Grandma Mildred is through Sarah, her dearest granddaughter and my best friend. I´ve never met Grandma but I enjoyed so much hearing about her- her love and jest for life, knowledge, and people. She seemed like a shining, bright warm compass who you´d be lucky to have in your life. I send my deepest condolences to family and friends who have lost a loving companion.

I was also lucky enough to be with Mildred on many joyful occasions at Barbara and Daryl´s home. The two of us even met in NYC in her later years and went to a great Indian restaurant that she liked. She was always adventurous and quite a role model for those of us who got to know her. What a lovely legacy that really captured her essence. Lynda Mulhauser

I´m so lucky to have been part of Mildred´s extended family. Arthur and I loved spending Friday afternoons with her at the concerts at Rockefeller Institute. We always received a eduction in classical music. From the first note to the last. I thank her for creating these happy memories for me. With much sadness Fran Patsiner