Marcia Birdsall Friedl

Marcia N. Friedl, a retired educator died March 30 of respiratory failure at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. The Arnold, MD resident was 87. She had resided at Future Care Chesapeake.
Marcia Nancy Birdsall, daughter of James S. Birdsall and Angeline Kowal Birdsall, was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan, where she graduated in 1955 from Wyandotte High School.
Ms. Friedl earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1958 from Michigan State University and later received a master's degree in public school administration from Eastern Michigan University.
While at Michigan State, she married Gerald "Jerry" Zarend in 1958, and the next year, they welcomed their daughter, Jill Lynn Zarend, born in Monroe, MI.
Ms. Friedl began her teaching career in Oscoda, MI, and later became a reading specialist, traveling to schools across Alcona County helping children improve their reading skills.
Ms. Friedl later moved to Clarklake, MI, where she taught fourth graders at Brooklyn Elementary School, and also she served as principal of Capac Elementary School in Capac, MI.
She moved to Maryland in 1983 and taught at Marley Middle School, and in the mid-1980s, she began a second career in group hotel sales. Her daughter moved to Maryland to be near her in 1984.
"She had a vivacious and adventurous personality and enjoyed having fun. She was always on the go. Mom would take day trips, visit wineries, attend concerts and festivals," said her daughter. "She was not one to sit and do nothing."
Ms. Friedl was married three times. In 1990, she married Lou Friedl in Ocean City while working for the Harrison Group Hotels. They resided in Ocean Pines, MD, and then moved to Richmond and Roanoke, VA.
Ms. Friedl retired in 1999. She was a talented cook who enjoyed entertaining family and friends, especially during the holidays.
After Mr. Friedl lost his life in 2006 in an automobile accident, she moved to Southgate, MI, to be near family, until returning to Maryland in 2010 to be near her daughter and granddaughter.
Ms. Friedl remained an engaging woman with a refined sense of humor, sharing heartfelt bantering with her daughter. She always welcomed visitors, especially her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter, and she always concluded with a meaningful, "I love you!"
Ms. Friedl was cremated and will be buried this summer at West Mound Cemetery in Taylor, MI, with her parents. In addition to her daughter, Jill L. Zarend of Annapolis, she is survived by her granddaughter, Addison Kubatko Armiger, and her husband, Garrett Armiger, and great-granddaughter, Brinley Armiger, all of Sykesville.