We are getting together materials about Marjorie for her Life Celebration, which will be at the Leo K. Theater on Monday March 22nd, and we would love to include stories, pictures, or video you may want to share. We have been trying to get in touch with folks she knew including folks who posted on this blog, but we have had trouble reaching some of you including Bob Holley, Kip, Dawn Warner, Richard Edwards, Katy Philip, and many others who have posted here and/or knew Marjorie. So if you would be willing to share stories and talk to us please call Judith at 206-524-6699 or email us at marjorienelsonactor@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Judith and Rachel
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Following is an article I wrote for the March/April Eastlake News, which is now in print (Chris Leman, cleman@oo.net, 206-322-5463):
Neighborhood loses actor and activist Marjorie Nelson
Eastlake and the world lost a great soul on February 12 after her brief bout with cancer at the age of 86. As Marjorie Nelson would have wanted it, she died at home, amidst family. Nelson grew up in Seattle, and at Broadway High School (so appropriately named it was!) got her first taste of the acting, directing, and producing that became her lifelong passion. She was in several movies and the pilot of the TV hit Twin Peaks, but her first love was theater, where she distinguished herself in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Port Townsend, and many other places.
Nelson approached her role as citizen with equal talent and verve, plunging into international, national, and local issues with first husband Howard da Silva and second husband Victor Steinbrueck. Most famously she, Steinbrueck, and a handful of others saved the Pike Place Market from City plans to destroy it.
Less well known are her decades of volunteering in Eastlake. She and Steinbrueck were Eastlake Community Council board members, and she also served as ECC Vice President and as Eastlake’s representative on the TOPS-Seward School Site Council. She planted trees on Eastlake Avenue, and organized a street fair to celebrate the hundredth birthday of Eastlake and her 2622 Franklin Ave. E. home (a landmark and one of Seattle’s oldest).
What Marjorie Nelson gave to the world must also include her inspiration to co-workers, audiences, neighbors, friends, and family alike. She was a deep student of playwrights Brecht (who she knew), Chekhov, and Beckett, but director John Dillon recalled “always had a sense of mischief about her work, no matter how serious the role.” Her caring and resourcefulness are summed up in a story from another friend: “While hosting a party once, Marjorie was showing off some rare and valuable ornaments she had displayed on her mantelpiece, and everyone oohed and ahed. Later on a young woman backed into the mantel and knocked one of the pieces to the ground, shattering it. The crowd went uncomfortably silent. Before the mortified woman could apologize, Marjorie grabbed another ornament, and with a loud cheer, threw it to the ground, also shattering it. It was the most surprising and complete act of generosity I’ve ever seen.”
Nelson cherished her children Judith and Rachel, five stepchildren Peter da Silva and David, Lisa, Matthew, and Peter Steinbrueck, and their families. She is also survived by sister Becky Jones. Eastlakers wish all of them strength in this loss, which is heartbreaking too for the neighborhood. All of us who knew Marjorie Nelson are the better for it. The family suggests that any remembrances be donated to an arts, community, or peace group of one’s choice.
A Life Celebration of Marjorie Nelson will be held Monday, March 22, 6:30 p.m. in the Leo K. Theater at the Seattle Rep, 155 Mercer Street. Offers of food, performing, photos, and videotaping are welcome, to: marjorienelsonactor@gmail.com (206) 200-8192 or (206) 524-6699.
Marjorie…
You will always be my bright laughter, my fellow adventurer, my leveler and truth sayer, my wise eye. Your generosity gave me your abundant experience, your classic eye, your rotating joy that held me close, even in my darkest despair. I cried on your shoulder and you lifted me up. You never turned away from my wild and crazy ways, always giving my every new idea a whirl.
You continually strove to be ever better at your craft. You remain my Foota, my Fefu, my Charlotte with our bouncing Sasha. You will always be a beauty with your head held high, your topped fair hair, the spring in your gait, your glorious gardens with the flowers singing, the yellow studio out back brimming over with Victor trying to rein him in, the red floor, our countless Alexander sessions, so many early morning Americanas together. Walks and waterfalls; Carlye and Joy, Mary Clare, yoga, your red car you drove like a bandit, my very own bedroom in your big unwieldy house. We wrote together; taught together; acted together, went on trips. We shared Morris Carnovsky and Brecht and Irene Fornes. We adored so much together.
Marjorie…my dear…forever in my heart and mind…I adore you.
THANK YOU. You remain…
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