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8 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2020 RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT By Elizabeth Westbrook "I haven't done a thing." This was Marian Mark's reaction to the special attention she was receiving from the Breeze after a friend suggested she would make a wonderful profile. Being alive and feisty for 92 years disproves that initial statement. Let's turn back the clock and take a glimpse in this small town girl's life. Marian was in a church choir and that was where Conrad, on leave from the Navy during WWII, first laid eyes on Marian and fell in love. After the war, he came back to Frankfurt, Illinois, and asked Marian to be his wife. They had two children while Marian continued working at a grocery store (her first job after high school) and did custom sewing as a side job at home. Marian's affinity for being behind the wheel of a tractor or a truck was realized when she began driving a school bus and managing other drivers. She was responsible for whatever it took for a bus to be safe and ready for students. Driving 20 years with children had a positive effect on Marian's attitude on life. To this day, she has a vivid memory of a student who still brings a smile to her face. Their kids grown and out of the house, Marian and Buzz (Conrad's nickname) packed up and emigrated to Canada while keeping their U.S. citizenship. Marian got a part-time job at a local hospital in northwest Ontario. She was prepared to take on anything that was assigned — her favorite, working in the sterilizing room. The Ontario area gave them an opportunity to enjoy its winters and develop the endurance of cross country skiing. When asked why Canada, Marian's response was "That's where Buzz wanted to go." Twenty years later they were back in Illinois and shortly after headed south to Harlingen, Texas. By now, Buzz and Marian were both retired and happily volunteering at a local hospital. Marian felt that keeping busy made time fly. Fifteen years of volunteer work did just that. Occasionally, Marian would accompany Buzz to reunions with his shipmates. They enjoyed traveling and their relationship remained strong and fresh, filled with humor and matching wits. So it's no surprise when a hurricane came through Harlingen, they sat and watched the rattling of doors and windows from their living room. The opportunity to relocate to Southern California came when their daughter, Wendy, residing in Redlands, invited them for a balloon ride. This was a sideline to Wendy's regular job that afforded Buzz and Marian breathtaking rides in California, Nevada, and New Mexico. Now, Marian is taking deep breaths and staying calm, thankful for her family and close friends here at Four Seasons. After Buzz's heart attack four years ago left a debilitating effect on his health, he passed away in May. No, it wasn't from COVID-19. She had 73 wonderful years of standing by her man. I'm in awe and honored to be chatting with a woman who had amassed nearly three-quarters of a century with one man. They would have celebrated their 74th anniversary in July. This durability maintains the challenge of her motto: Just do something — keep busy and stop whining. Some of our residents have been fortunate to experience the spunk Buzz and Marian brought to a table of card players. These days, it's her continued positive attitude that makes Marian, "a living legend – like Betty White" commented a friend, a delightful person to have around. Even when this pandemic shuttered places, the testament of time and her experiences proved this is just part of life and has not slowed Marian down. She still has a few unfinished items on her to-do list: driving an 18-wheeler, zip lining, and getting back up in a balloon. As for myself, I can't wait for the Ballroom to reopen so I can play Tommy Dorsey's music and watch her dance with friends. Maybe you'll get lucky and have an opportunity to be delighted by Marian's quick and sharp wits — in a conversation, as a card partner that got her dubbed as a "secret weapon," working with numbers, or finishing a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. Her social calendar stays busy among friends and when Marian passes by Buzz's picture at home, their spunky and snappy conversation carries on… Marian Mark: Epitome of Positivity

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