Marilyn K. Lewis
Real estate agent, supporter of women’s rights remembered by friends, family for kindness, humor, putting others first
Marilyn K. Lewis, who worked in real estate sales and volunteered in support of women’s rights, died Oct. 23 of complications from a stroke at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Rossville. The longtime Bel Air resident was 81.
Marilyn Kay Lewis, daughter of Walter and Julie Lewis, was born in Sussex, New Jersey, where she graduated from high school. She later attended Harford Community College.
Ms. Lewis worked as an administrative assistant at the Army Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, New Jersey, and Edgewood Arsenal in Aberdeen Proving Ground, before moving to Danbury, Connecticut, after earning a real estate license.
She returned to Harford County and worked in real estate sales for various firms until retiring about a decade ago from Coldwell Banker in Bel Air.
In retirement, Ms. Lewis — who was known for her “friendly manner and positive energy” her daughter, Julie M. Kichline, wrote in a biographical profile of her mother — became a volunteer at the McFaul Activities Center, Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, and the Harford County Public Library and Harford County Public Schools.
She also was a teacher-assistant to a professor at Harford Community College who taught English as a second language.
Ms. Lewis volunteered
with the Harford County Board of Elections in support of Democratic candidates. Her philanthropic interests included WYPR and Planned Parenthood of Maryland, her daughter said.
An advocate for women’s rights, Ms. Lewis was 76 when she donned her pink hat and traveled to the nation’s capital in 2017 to participate in the Women’s March on Washington.
She enjoyed music, traveling, food, fashion, gardening and cats, and was an avid fan of the Orioles and Ravens.
In what her daughter said was her mother’s “final hurrah,” Ms. Lewis had just completed a Rhine River cruise the week before she suffered the stroke that ended her life.
She enjoyed attending community theater performances and singing. She was a member of the Upper Chesapeake Chorus, a women’s a cappella group, and the Sweet Adelines International, a women’s barbershop harmony group.
“She was a baritone and singing was one of her passions,” her daughter said.
“Marilyn was my singing sister, my walking partner, my fellow Orioles fan, and my very dear friend,” Linda Brown wrote in an email.
“She had a wonderful sense of humor, was kind to everyone, but passionate about social justice and human rights,” Ms. Brown wrote. “Marilyn touched my life in a significant way and I miss her every day.”
Vicki Walton, another longtime friend, wrote in an email: “Marilyn was a gift … one of my most precious gifts. Her friendship, guidance, humor and kindness were felt by many. I hope I am able to follow her lead and be this person for someone else.”
Her daughter wrote: “Her sense of humor, generosity, creativity, intelligence, loyalty, compassion and giving nature, made her an extraordinary mother and friend, but her kindness was not limited to those she knew and loved. Her philosophy of putting others first and giving more than she took will forever be her legacy.”
Ms. Lewis donated her body to the Anatomy Gift Registry, her daughter said.
Plans for a celebration-of-life-ceremony, to be held this spring, are incomplete.
In addition to her daughter, Ms. Lewis is survived by a son, William H. Kichline III, of Roland Park; two granddaughters; four great-grandchildren; and two nieces. Her marriage to William H. Kichline Jr. ended in divorce.