I volunteered with AIUSA decades ago when Marj managed the Chicago office. There was not a training, observation, meeting, conference, conversation or action with her that didn’t advance my personal growth and strength. Why in Feb. 2025 did I suddenly google her name?
I randomly and disjointedly recalled a cancelled press conference in K.C. MO, orchestrated around a new AIUSA report. With a single, late arriving reporter, Marj directed our group to proceed as planned, boldly proclaiming with conviction, THIS IS IMPORTANT. Our day proved to be highly successful.
I believe her profound commitment to human rights still radiates light and energy. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
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I was honored to work on staff with Marj at AIUSA years ago and had the pleasure to collaborate with her on committees and other organizational activities. I was always grateful to benefit from her insight, wisdom, calm leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing human rights. May she rest in peace ...and my condolences to her family.
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I have only just stumbled over the news of Marj's death. I knew her through Amnesty International--from several International Council Meetings, and as a senior staff member when I was on the International Executive Committee. Marj was deeply in touch with the values and heart of the movement, and connected easily and authentically with activists and leaders with all their ambitions and challenges. We were incredibly fortunate that she brought all these natural gifts to our movement, and always in with clarity, intelligence and compassion. I am humbled to have known her and to be able to honour her memory.
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My heart is with all of my Rutschman family in California and worldwide. I am so sad but am also, so lucky to have had Marj as a sister- in-law for many decades married to David's brother Bob.
There are many stories, but a funny one is when Marj took our daughter Magali age 8 to a doll store in Chicago and bought her a little book about "Josefina". The two of them then went to a fancy restaurant for tea. Well, Michael Jordan also happened to be having "tea" and Marj encouraged Magi to go ask him for an autograph in her new little book. Magali, being an outgoing child, promptly asked for the autograph having no clue who M. Jordan was!
Marj helped me this last year of her life as I too navigated a devastating cancer diagnosis. We could speak of things we didn't share with our families and for this especially, I am forever grateful to you Marj. Con luz, paz y amor, siempre.
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I was very sad to find out that Marj is no longer with us. I echo the sentiments of former colleagues friends, and loved ones. Marj truly was a titan of human rights.
I was privileged to work with her from 1994 to 2002 as her assistant at AIUSA. She had great integrity, was kind, had a big heart, and a great capacity for hard work. She taught me what it meant to be a global citizen.
I’ve thought of her often throughout the years and I’m so grateful that I knew her.
Love and blessings to her family in this time of grief and loss.
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Sending deepest sympathy and love to you, David and your family. Marjory was one of my sweetest cousins. We always wished we would have spent more time together. We had such fun.
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I just leaned of Marj's passing this week. What a life well lived and a beautiful legacy she has left with her family and all of the lives she has touched. I wish you all my deepest condolences as you continue to mourn her passing as well as celebrate her life.
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I miss Marj so much. We’re holding you, David, and your beautiful family, close in our hearts. Marj was a gift to us all and to the world, and her memory will truly be a blessing. Sending love, Jean and Amy.
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Hi David
Thinking of you.
Ellen L. wishing you peace
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Holding you and all who loved Marj in the Light at this time, David!! May Marj's memory and Spirit live on and on!!
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I only knew Marge as a fellow member of the American Friends Service Committee for just a few years in the late 2010s. I always enjoyed her smarts and her humor.
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David, John just sent me the message. Very Sorry to hear about your wife’s passing. My sincere condolences. Sending thoughts and prayers your way from Chicago.
Ted Jankowski
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I too have spent over a month now trying to process the loss of our dearly beloved Marj and I just can’t do it really. Her warmth and humanity - making us all feel so heard and valued whatever our background and story - meant she has been easy to carry in my heart as if she were still in the office across the way. I’m not ready to let go of that to be honest. I still need her guidance and wisdom be it around motherhood or the balance of a tough yet rewarding career: fortunately I have so many amazing memories I know I will continue to conjour her up. I can’t thank David enough for sharing her so generously, I know her time was hers to give but we all felt the benefit of the amazing family Marj had. I fell in love with her whilst sat on an interview panel - hands down I knew she was going to be the best boss I could wish for, and she certainly was. She continues to inspire me and I send my deepest condolences to David and her family. And reach my arms far and wide to my Amnesty family who like me will be bereft. Rest in peace though Marj, until we meet again 💜
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I have many memories of being with the Byler family..in Argentina, in New Mexico, on trips together, and in Chicago. Words spoken by others of her loving, caring nature are also part of my experience with Marj. I haven't been with her since she moved to California, but have about 25 years of delightful memories. I will grieve over her suffering and departure, but also celebrate her life.😥🥰
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I have kept thinking and prevaricating about writing here partly in denial that Marj is gone and partly because I wanted to properly and perfectly encapsulate what made her uniquely her! She would be the first to tell me that being proper and perfect is overrated and in fact I recently found an email from 2012 where she said "Words of wisdom? They often fail in the face of the really big things" so once again I will try to follow in her footsteps and just go for it....
We met waiting for a kettle to boil in an AI office and wondering, given it was 5pm somewhere in the world, would it be too early for a glass of vino. Over the years, over many cups of tea and copious glasses of wine Marj exemplified what it meant to lead with a balance of pragmatism, humour, empathy and action. And hey did she get into action- she worked 16 hr days, a continent away from her family, travelling at the drop of a hat to support HR professionals and survivors across the globe and she made it look effortless.
That's not to say it was in fact effortless. A memory we laughed about often was the epic failure in misreading a pre-booked cab sign at a Turkish airport. Instead she was so confident and persuasive that she convinced a different taxi driver she was indeed the Army general, Maj B, he was waiting for and it was only when she arrived at the hotel where the confusion was discovered. In telling me she felt dreadful that she may have possibly gotten the driver into a lot of trouble. The best was yet to come as two days later she spotted the Taxi driver in a crowded square. She raced up to him trying desperately to press money into his hands whilst he assured her it was ok. Meanwhile (as she would recount it!) totally oblivious to the growing curiosity of the AI section staff of her familiarity with the young driver. This was Marj at her inspirational best even when it all went wrong; hard-working, committed, persuasive, caring and utterly hilarious.
It is unsurprising to read so many amazing memories of her mentorship and leadership.
The important thing is that the reason she did it all was for her family- she loved you all and was so proud of you all and was committed to making this world better for you all. In her absence please know you are never alone and are held in the loving hearts of so many people. Like me .... x
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