Memories of Margaret "Marilyn" M. Avruskin

In memory of

Margaret "Marilyn" M. Avruskin

Portland, OR

1938 - December 13, 2020

1938 - Dec 13, 2020

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Carla Avruskin

The best present they ever gave me was being my parents. Thanks for everything, Mom & Dad 🩷

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Carla Avruskin

Miss you every day, Mummy. Such a happy moment here!

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Parker Boyd

Loretta and Rich Gronlie

What an impact you have made on our lives, Marilyn! Think of you and smile so often. You are loved beyond measure!

Remembering our dances, lessons, sharing...admiring each other and boosting each other. Lots of laughs and teasing along with great character sharing!

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Lakisha Miller

Wow, I am greatly sadden by seeing this. I am an old patient of Dr. AvRuskin, it was such a pleasure seeing the Mr &Mrs during my visits they always had a laugh for me. They both are greatly missed and my deepest condolences to the family on the lost of their precious gem.

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Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Shared a heart

Loretta and Rich Gronlie

I see her...Marilyn...thank you for keeping us in the loop Carla!

No matter the travels...it was adventure and learning. So real and true. That is why I loved and miss her. Can only think...if we were sisters...

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Carla Avruskin

This is spring break week, when we'd normally be traveling with Mum & Dad. She loved to travel. She was our confident adventurer! Look how happy she is, at the airport as we waited for one of our flights... I miss that.

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Parker Boyd

Linda Bosco

Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Comments:

Linda Bosco

Thank you for sharing this picture & memory of your Mum. The Oceanside Herald just posted a beautiful article... Read more Thank you for sharing this picture & memory of your Mum. The Oceanside Herald just posted a beautiful article about Marilyn. ... Read more Thank you for sharing this picture & memory of your... Read more

Carla Avruskin

The Herald article was such a lovely tribute! Thank you so much for contributing to it, too, Linda!
Here’s... Read more The Herald article was such a lovely tribute! Thank you so much for contributing to it, too, Linda!
Here’s the original link... Read more The Herald article was such a lovely tribute! Thank... Read more

Marion Thompson (nee MacRae)

I am saddened to read of Marilyn's death. We were great friends in her last year at Traf', hence that "Oh, Marion!" in her descriptor in Traf Echoes. How we laughed! And laughed! And laughed! We walked to school together every day (I living on Drummond St., was on her route from the commuter train) and often had lunch at the Medical Arts drugstore lunch counter. Another thread pulled from the fabric of my life. I am glad she enjoyed such a rich life!

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Don Haslam

Sorry to learn of your loss.

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Ted AvRuskin

Carla Avruskin

Annabelle Goodman

I loved her smile and positive spirit.I see that beautiful face in front of me all the time.

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In response to "What did you learn from Marilyn?"

Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Douglas Black

I still miss her face watching us from her window on Rodney Place. Much love to you guys. She was a great lady. God Bless.

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Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Comments:

Carla Avruskin

Thanks, Doug. Yup, there was never a better placed kitchen window for parental supervision, huh?! Miss those... Read more Thanks, Doug. Yup, there was never a better placed kitchen window for parental supervision, huh?! Miss those good ol' days. And... Read more Thanks, Doug. Yup, there was never a better placed ... Read more

Carla Avruskin

Shared a heart

Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Westin Boyd

Nothing brought me more joy in my childhood than flying across the country to visit this wonderful woman (and her husband, of course!) every Spring Break. It would be the highlight of my year, in fact. There was just something about her presence that made me feel calm, taken care of, and at home. When she embraced me, it was as if an impenetrable wall stood between us and the rest of the world, as if it was just me and her in our own little bubble.
It also always amazed me just how much of a powerhouse she was. Every day, there was always something to be done, something to be cleaned, something to be planned with her, and somehow she managed to complete just about everything. She hopped right on a given task without a moment's hesitation, hence her to-do list was temporary, never permanent. When I would arrive at her house, everything would be spotless: the dishes thoroughly washed and placed neatly in the drying rack, the bills paid ahead of time, the bedsheets in each guest room perfectly tucked into the bedframe, and a fresh-baked batch of sweet treats in the cookie tin. It was truly impressive to see, and I will never forget that side of her. She undoubtedly cared so much about every single person in her life, and would do anything to make them comfortable and at ease.
I love you, Nana. You lived a great life, and touched the hearts of many. Your passion and determination will forever inspire me.

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Carla Avruskin

Parker Boyd

Ted AvRuskin

Comments:

Carla Avruskin

Oh, my dear Westin. EXACTLY. Wasn't she amazing, in every way? I see much of her personality in you, too.... Read more Oh, my dear Westin. EXACTLY. Wasn't she amazing, in every way? I see much of her personality in you, too. I'm so glad she ... Read more Oh, my dear Westin. EXACTLY. Wasn't she amazing, ... Read more

Gay Avruskin

Shared a heart

Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Comments:

Gay Avruskin

Marilyn and Ted were always so much a part of our family, even though we did not live close. When they came... Read more Marilyn and Ted were always so much a part of our family, even though we did not live close. When they came to Toronto or to Elora,... Read more Marilyn and Ted were always so much a part of our family,... Read more

Vanessa AvRuskin

We will all miss Aunty M so much. With very little effort I can remember her laugh and voice so clearly. I remember going for a walk with her on a beach in Greece I think. We had a beautiful talk about life choices and I felt so close to her. I also remember some amazing Passovers at Nanny’s with the whole gaggle of us laughing and being crazy. And how she and the Mammas were the heart of our big vivacious family. Each year I looked forward to the incredibly detailed and touching cards she wrote to us that were filled with the practicalities of life, politics and love. I’m so sorry about your loss my lovely cousins and Uncy. We will miss her so much. ❤️

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Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Carla Avruskin

Thank you, Linda Bosco of Nassau County Girl Scouts! What a lovely way to honor my mother Marilyn.

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Parker Boyd

Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Ted AvRuskin

Linda Bosco

I had the privilege of getting to know Marilyn through Girl Scouts . She was a volunteer for about 50 years. Besides being a troop leader she served many different positions on the Service Team. Marilyn served as a mentor for many girls working on their Gold Awards. She made a big difference in the lives of so many young girls. She helped me when I took over the position of Treasurer. Marilyn served Girl Scouts until she sold her house in Oceanside. Marilyn always had a smile on her face & I will miss her dearly.

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Carla Avruskin

Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Ted AvRuskin

Linda Bosco

Shared a heart

Carla Avruskin

Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Ted AvRuskin

GILLIAN AVRUSKIN

2017, Rockville Centre, NY, USA

Uncle Ted and Aunty M

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Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Carla Avruskin

Westin Boyd

Ted AvRuskin

GILLIAN AVRUSKIN

We will miss Aunty M!! She was so full of energy and always smiling. She tired out Giorgos and Dafni when she took us to Jones Beach (with Unc) in 2017. She would meet us in NYC when we were visiting (probably dragging Uncle Ted along). And they even stopped by us on their way home from one of their trips. We were so happy to host, if just for dinner (they wouldn't spend the night). Sending big hugs to you Unc, Rrr, An, Carla !

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Andrea Avruskin

Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Pat Haines

So many wonderful memories of my sweet cousin Marilyn. She was so vivacious and had such enthusiasm which was infectious.
I'm glad that her family benefited from the culinary skills she practiced on us cousins. She had a "bakery" at "the country" and made cakes and cookies for us to buy. They were made out of mud!
Marilyn, you will be forever remembered and greatly missed.

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Andrea Avruskin

Carla Avruskin

Westin Boyd

Ted AvRuskin

Annabelle Goodman

The family always loved it when Marilyn and Ted came to Toronto. We would fight over time seeing them. It was such an enduring love match. Marilyn and I sent weekly notes discussing our mutual political beliefs. How happy she would be to see Biden inaugurated. I miss her greatly. She was a beautiful person in every way.

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Andrea Avruskin

Carla Avruskin

Westin Boyd

Ted AvRuskin

Bill Linklater

Great memories of family gatherings growing up and at the cottage on Ile Bizard. Marilyn was always cheerful and fun. The family tributes to her here prove what a fantastic person she was. Take her love and strength and keep it in your lives.

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Loretta and Rich Gronlie

Andrea Avruskin

Carla Avruskin

Ted AvRuskin

Carla Avruskin

It's been one week since mum died. I'm sitting on her couch, with her usual spot empty beside me. I wish she was here with me. I know there's been a billion people that have walked this planet. But this one woman, she meant the world to me. She's always been the center of my universe, my entire life, the only human I've always felt protected by, always felt safe with, no matter what - no matter how silly I'm being, or scared I feel, or stupid I seem... even during those moments when she lectured me as only a mom can, I remained wrapped in her comfort, enveloped by her love; it was constant and familiar and dependable. She was absolutely the best. Of all the people who have deserved to live forever, she was the one. She was my best friend. Even the possibility of her being gone is unfathomable to me. The vacuum it has created is suffocating. But she'd be so mad if I didn't keep my focus on that mantra she drilled into me all these years...that everything will be fine, everything always works out, if you wait long enough. I'll try to wait it out, Mummy. Rest well.

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