Marie Avila-Pike
August 26, 1930 - December 24, 2017
Marie was born in Bakersfield, California, spent her childhood and young adult life in Berkeley, before moving to El Cerrito in 1970. As an elementary school teacher in the Richmond and West Contra County School District for over forty years, she was a valued friend and co-worker to the many who knew her. She led an active social life, meeting weekly with her friends for lunch at Brennan’s to play cards, going to movies, plays, museums and symphonies.
Marie played an important role in a number of organizations which continued during her retirement. In her capacity as both Treasurer and Secretary, Marie gave much time to the Berkeley High School Red and Golden Girls, helping to organize its yearly reunion of women that had graduated Berkeley High School fifty years prior. Marie was equally active in the Soroptimists International of El Cerrito (an international volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls); Alpha Phi, the local chapter of Delta Kappa (the International Honorary Organization for Women Educators) of which Marie was a charter member; and, along with her much-loved friends, the Mystic Order of the Anomalies. She regularly attended the West County Forum lunches to hear their guest speakers. Marie worked to help save the Sundar Shadi folk art Bethlehem Christmas Display after its Arlington Avenue home had been lost.
Despite having graduated from San Francisco State College, she was a long-time fan of the Cal Bears, regularly attending their football and basketball games with her late husband Claude Pike, family, and friends.
Marie spent many childhood summers in the company of her parents John and Kathryn Avila and her close-in-age nephew, Ron Hogan, at Putah Creek which is now Lake Berryessa.
Marie enjoyed her many traveling adventures with family and friends. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her and had the joy of being a part of her life.
Marie leaves behind her loving nieces Kathy Herting and Seana Hogan (Pat Enright), her devoted stepchildren Ron Pike, Claudia Johnson (Mike) and Sheryl Kelley (Sean), her nephew Raymond “Ron” Hogan and her niece Nancy Zygadhlo. She also leaves behind her dearly loved grandchildren Kevin Johnson, Ashley, Andrew and Alex Saindon, and Matt Kelley.
Friends and family are invited to services which will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 11150 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito on Saturday January 27th at 11am. A reception will follow at St. John’s Community Center, 6500 Gladys Avenue (directly behind the church). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Marie’s name.