MARILYN A. PETSCHEK DECEMBER 8, 1924 - OCTOBER 22, 2017

Marilyn Petschek, née Poth, passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2017 at the age of 92. She was living at El Castillo in Santa Fe at the time of her passing. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched.

Marilyn was born in New Orleans LA, and was raised in Lynbrook, NY. She held a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Smith College, and a Masters degree in Physics, from the University of Michigan. During her master’s studies at the University of Michigan Marilyn met her husband to be, Albert, whom she married in June of 1949. Their long and happy marriage ended only with Albert’s death in 2004.

Marilyn and Albert moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1953 after Albert completed his Ph.D. Over the years, Albert’s career took them to Los Alamos, NM, Socorro, NM and La Jolla, CA. Once he retired, they made their primary home in Los Alamos but also enjoyed travels throughout the world.

Marilyn and Albert took their responsibility of raising their four children very seriously and were committed, caring and involved parents, in-laws and grandparents. They found no greater joy than spending time with their children and later children’s spouses and their grandchildren.

Marilyn was always very involved in the community where she was living. She organized concerts in the public schools in both Los Alamos and Socorro. She taught English as a second language, mathematics and literacy in Socorro and was involved with the American Association of University Women. She was active and involved with the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, starting in 1954 when the Fellowship was first formed. Over the years she served the church on many committees and the board.

Marilyn was a loyal, dedicated and caring friend to many, many people and showed great kindness and respect to everyone she met. She was an avid tennis player, an excellent bridge player. She loved flowers, gardening and music. She kept a large flower and vegetable garden, played in a weekly Renaissance music recorder group and was proud to say she had been attending the Santa Fe Opera since opening night of the first season.

Marilyn is survived by her children Evelyn of Santa Fe, NM, Rolfe and Jane of Shaker Heights, OH, Elaine and Leonardo of Sandia Park, NM and Mark and Paula of Bedford, MA, and by her grandchildren Mike and Katrina of Jamaica Plain, MA, Colin of Bedford, MA and Iris of Shaker Heights, OH. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary, of Lexington, MA, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews throughout the country.

The family thanks the wonderful caregivers from Nurses with Heart for the care they provided over the last several years, allowing Marilyn to remain comfortably in her home as her mobility declined. The family is also thankful for the services of Ambercare Hospice during Marilyn’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a charity that supports Marilyn’s passions: Education, Wildlife and the Arts, such as Smith College, Reading is Fundamental (RIF), the Pajarito Environment Education Center, the Friends of the Bosque Del Apache, or the Los Alamos Concert Association.

In celebration of Marilyn’s life, a reception will be held Thursday December 28th between 2pm and 4:30pm in the community room of El Castillo, 250 E Alameda St, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com