Dear Margie, 

although we lost contact a while ago I will always remember our time and lunch breaks together (hot wings!!) in spring 2002 when I was an intern at Lane & Associates! It was a wonderful time - and you were part of it with your kind, calm, feisty, sometimes impudent character. I hope you are at a better place now and think about your family in these difficult times. 

René from Germany

Dear Margie - you have been a best friend since we first met in the early 1980's. We met at Quasimodo music club in Berlin and hit it off immediately.  We met frequently at your house in Frohnau, then Spandau or at our apartment in Charlottenburg. You were a witness at Hagen and my wedding in December 1994 and were the first person to visit me in the hospital when Allison was born in May 1995. We had the same frame of reference having both spent our childhood and teen years in the US and then becoming ex-pats and marrying Germans and having our children here. We supported each other a lot in matters of relationships, career paths, job tasks, raising kids, etc. And no matter what - we always laughed - even in matters that were serious and painful - we both understood the healing power of comic relief.I was very sad when you moved back to the US. But fortunately the new company I was working for attended conferences in Orlando frequently. I was able to visit you almost every year from about 2008 until 2019 and kept up with everything happening in your life.  Our favorite thing to do was go to Universal City Walk. We would go to Pat O'Brien's with its Dueling Pianos act. We always requested "If I had a Million Dollars" by Bare Naked Ladies. But most favorite and the most vivid memory I have of my time with you was going to the improvisation theater there. One night, we lined up for the first show and laughed so much at the show, we went out the exit and got right back in line for the next show (they were free of charge). And then we did it again! Three shows - not boring because it was improv! Oh our sides were aching that night from so much laughing! 

Your fearlessness of new things always impressed me: learning computer skills and training to be a cosmetician when it was time to get back to work in Berlin, the move back to the US, finding work (in a funny coincidence, you actually processed the immigration papers of the German ex-husband of a friend who was also at our wedding and had met you there - you had remembered Cheryl's last name and realized whose papers you were working on. BTW - Cheryl says "hi" and has fond memories of you), diving, and more.

And you were always on a quest for fun - your work at Universal as an extra for Halloween Horror Nights (you took me there one night - I'll never forget the crazy guy with the chainsaw chasing me through the park) and when you were in one of the big parades in NYC responsible for one the big balloons). And now I am reminded of another night at Disney's Hollywood Studios when we went on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. On our first ride, the music went off halfway through the ride. When we got off we complained so they took us to the front of the line to let us ride again. On the second ride, the music also went off and when we complained - somewhat louder this time - the attendant whisked us off behind a door and through a maze of  hallways. We thought we might be goners for complaining too loudly but he actually just brought us to the other side of the track where the ride began and set us in the very front seats! The last time the music worked. As they say, "3's a charm!".I am so glad you and Ron found each other. You knew how much he loved you and were so happy to have him for a husband.

Ron, I hope you know how much Margie loved you. And I am eternally grateful to you for caring for my good friend these last years.

Those I've told of Margie's passing remember the twinkle in her eye, her ready smile and the witty remark on the tip of her tongue. This is what I will remember too.

Margie, I miss you my friend but am comforted that you are now in a place of peace. Can't wait to get to heaven and laugh with you again. 

Thank you and bless you, Ron, for being the very best husband and brother-in-law.  I use the word "very" a lot, but you are the very, very best, and all of us are so very, very grateful and thankful for you.  We are also so grateful to Shannon, Michael, Luis, and Sandra for being able to manage being there to help and support each other.  All our love to you all.

Love, Cindy and Shaun

Margie is my big sister.  She was fearless, brave, and a trail blazer who inspired me so much and presented ideas for me, from high school Highland Dancing and choir to traveling through Europe.  We were both born in the fifties and shared a generation, which we talked endlessly about, sharing experiences and stories.  Shaun knew Margie longer than me.  In 1979, she set up a blind date with myself and Shaun, and forty-four years later, here we still are.  She was very proud of that!  

Margie loved her family and made it out to Vegas several times to partake in all our fun and games, particulary Christmases, which we were and are so very grateful.  She always said the great thing about us all was that we laughed so much and had such a great time together. 

 Our consolation is knowing that she is free now and can hang out with our mom and dad, comparing notes, singing, and patiently waiting for each of us to join her-- maybe not patiently!  But let's not rush things :)   

Margie was the best sister-in-law and the most excellent sister, and we will love and miss her forever.

This story is about Ron Ellis.  

Both my Aunt Margie and Ron flew from Orlando, FL to Portland, OR for our wedding. 

It rained on our wedding day 5/3/2014. 

Whilst walking from the Paragon (reception location) to the train station downtown, to take the train back to their hotel,  Ron made sure to keep an umbrella above my auntie Margie's head.  Keeping the rain off of her.  If she sped up, he sped up.  If she slowed down, he slowed down.  The trek was roughly a couple of miles. He kept that umbrella above her head the entire time.  Never faultered.

 He did that because he wanted to.  

I am positive that he did things like that since the day he met her.

Ron, I'm thinking of you my friend.