Marian H. Van Soest

Marian Van Soest, a long-time resident of Ithaca, passed away peacefully on November 1 at Hospicare and Palliative Care Service. She was 98. Born Marian Vogdes Ham on Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Gertrude Alice (Vogdes) and Alexander R. Ham, she was the valedictorian of her class at Ishpeming High School. Marian graduated from Swarthmore College in 1948, and later earned an MA in Design from Cornell University. After college, Marian eventually made her way to Washington, DC where she taught at the National Cathedral School. It was in DC where Marian met Dr. Peter J. Van Soest, an animal scientist who was working for the US Agriculture Research Service (USDA) in Beltsville, Maryland. They married in September of 1959 in Ishpeming, and together they started their family in DC's Cleveland Park neighborhood before moving to Ithaca in 1968. In the '80s and early '90s, Marian worked for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services of Tompkins County, initially as a volunteer, then a board member, before eventually becoming the director. After retiring, Marian pursued her lifelong passion for painting, evolving into an accomplished watercolorist. Despite her talent, she humbly attributed her success to her "interest and perseverance." As one of the longest running members at the State of the Art Gallery, she joined the cooperative in the early '90s and continued to show her work there regularly until the late 2010s. Her legacy lives on through the beautiful artwork she left in the homes of family and friends. Marian was also known for her competitive spirit in Scrabble, her hearty laugh, her love of travel, and her accomplished baking skills. She brought joy and warmth to everyone around her and was loved by many. She is survived by her devoted brother, James Ham (Joy); children, John (Terri), Anne (Jennifer), and Justin (Kierston); grandchildren, Brianna DeBoever (Nate), Abby, Oliver, and Phoebe; and great-grandchild, Elanor. Marian also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, friends near and far, neighbors, fellow artists, and art students. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Evergreen House and Hospicare for their compassionate care. A service to celebrate Marian's life will be held on Friday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of the Epiphany, 11 Elm Street, Trumansburg, New York with repast to follow at the Fontainebleau Inn at 2800 NY-228, Alpine, NY from 1 - 4 p.m.