Marilee Constantine Hagstrom
September 13, 1938 - December 25, 2004
Obituary
MARILEE CONSTANTINE HAGSTROM, 66, of Bellevue, Washington died Saturday, December 25, 2004 suddenly and unexpectedly.
She was born on September 13, 1938 in Seattle, Washington to the late parents of Georgia and George Constantine. She is survived by her sisters Ruth Ehrhorn of Honolulu, Zola Constantine-Wald of Seattle, and her sons Dr. Rick Hagstrom and his wife, Michele of San Diego, California and Larry Hagstrom and his wife, Stephanie of Camano Island, Washington and grandchildren Sage, Skye, Tucker and Julia.
She graduated in 1956 from Garfield High school and went to work for the Bank of California where she met her husband Richard E. “Dick” Hagstrom. They moved to Medina in 1961 where she raised her sons until 1973 when the family moved to Hawaii. She was always active in the community, from the Seattle’s Children’s Home to the Lanikai Luau, and was also instrumental in creating a pre-school for low-income families in Hawaii. In 1982 she moved back to Bellevue and went back to work at the Bank of California, and then accepted a position at RBC Dain-Rauscher, in Kirkland, where she has worked for the past 10 years.
Words alone cannot begin to describe the warmth and love she has given her family and many friends. She has been a positive role model as a strong courageous women who also survived open-heart surgery in 1996. Her greatest pleasures were her grandchildren, sons, “daughters,” friends, and traveling with the “wine” ladies.
She had a delightful sense of humor and as a result was named by her grandchildren “Goofy Yai Yai”. She received so much joy in life from being an active loving parent and grandparent. She will be missed.
Fortunately she had just visited with her son, Larry and his family last weekend, and was in San Diego with Rick and his family on Christmas day. She was truly surrounded by love. Mom YaiYai we love you more than the sun, moon, stars and the warm sunshine. Thank you for lighting up our lives with your love and your life.
Marilee’s request was to have a party to celebrate life. And in keeping with those wishes, the family will host a party from 2:30-5:30PM following the services at the Crab Cracker, 452 Central Way, Kirkland, WA. 425-827-8700. Casual attire acceptable.
Memorial Donations may be made to the American Heart Association in her name. Please sign Marilee’s on-line obituary at www.bonneywatson.com
Sincere condolences to the
family and friends of Marilee.
Sincere condolences to Marilee’s family and many friends.
I was a classmate of Marilee’s at Garfield, class of ’55. I recall we were both on the newspaper, The Garfield Messenger. I just read of Marilee’s passing. I have no doubt every word expressed by Marilee’s loved ones, came
from the heart. She was a lovely and gracious person in
every way. I also had the sense she lived in a very fullfilling and spontanious way. Many years have come and gone, but whenever I pictured her in my mind, it was with a smile on her face.
She made the world a better place…We are All Blessed.. Bless you All.
Marilee’s great humor, positive attitude and wonderful warmth will be missed. She was a special person! My deep sympathy to the family. Fred Burrow
Her infectious laughter will be sorely missed. Our high school reunions will not be the same without her.Our condolences to her family.
I met Marilee while working at BOC oh so many years ago. We kept in touch through out the years and I am greatly saddened by her passing.
Marilee, you will be missed !
Marilee was my older sister’s, Donna, best friend from the fifth grade at Lowell Elementary onward. Her family’s home was right across the street from the entance to Lowell and I was a classmate and friend of her late, younger brother, John.
My father, Thomas, hired Marilee at The Bank of California in 1956 and I hired her for her last job at RBC Dain in 1994. We already miss her.
My big little sister Marilee has always been an inspiration to all of us. Her light will forever shine in our hearts. Mahalo to all of her many friends that kept the glow alive throughout the few short years she was with us.
Marilee,
Although I only had the fortune to know you for the last 2 1/2 years, I feel as though I’ve known you for much longer. You were always there to share a laugh and I’m sure, wherever you are at this moment, that you’ve got them all smiling. For the rest of us, we’ll smile when we think of you and your infectious laugh.
You will be missed.
fondest memories from our 1956 garfield grad. class.
Aloha, till we meet again!
Ruth, Bill, Zola, Larry, Rick and families: Nancy and I are very saddened by your loss. We will also miss her. We will also miss her great smile and sunny disposition. She was a good friend and we appreciated so much her friendship during our many visits to Hawaii. She will be missed by all of us. Love to you all, Ron Patnoe and Nancy Scott
Mom,my heart is so saddened by you leaving us, but at the same time I have joy on what you have given us and left us. You have given me a wonderful husband, that you helped mold into a man with your love, strength and guidance. Thank you for that gift. You leave us with your loving smile, sense of humor and the great memories. I will truly miss you! I will do my best to carry on the family tradtions. Rest in Peace my favorite mother-n-law.
With all my love,
Michele
Dear Larry and Rick and family, I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She has always had a warm spot in my heart. She was so kind to me and always so fun! In the last few years we began corresponding after my mom, Lynda, and Marilee reconnected. She was a great woman and you sure had a wonderful mother. My condolences to you all. Best Regards, Anna Mair
To Rick and Larry and families,
Anna called me this morning to tell me about your mom. Donald called her from Hawaii when he saw the obituary in the Advertiser. I am so shocked and so sad. It doesn’t seem possible. She was so much too young and full of life.
I will always remember the great times with your mom when we were all in Kailua. She was a wonderful, generous, loving friend.We had a blast together starting Hoku Le’a School. It wouldn’t have succeeded without her. The kids and staff loved “Auntie Marilee”, she was such fun and always patient and understanding. She could see the funny side of almost anything. I’ll always think of her at Hoku Le’a exclaiming “these crazy kids, what next?” and then bursting into laughter even at the most exasperating moments.
Though our lives took us in different directions we always stayed in touch and she always mentioned her joy in her family and especially those grandchildren. She loved you all dearly.
She was a great lady and I will miss her and treasure my many memories of our friendship.
My deepest sympathy to you and your families,
Love, Lynda
My love to you Dick and your family. How well I remember our happy days at Standwood and on Camano Island. But then my thoughts flow to Hawaii…’how supportive Marilee and you were to our son, Louis…’when you “fed and bed” him and set such a fine example..which has followed him his entire life. Much love, Enid Hammer
Our fifteen year friendship ended to soon. I will miss you so. Your neighbor Bettie
We have lost a friend of over 45 years; we are blessed to still have her remaining family as our friends and as a reminder of what a wonderful person that she was. We were lucky to go out with her to see friends just days before she died. We will not attempt to sum up 45 years of memories here; but many were when Dick and Marilee’s kids were small and ours were too and we spent every weekend together. We will miss you Marilee!
I went to Garfield H.S. with Marilee. I’ve tried to contact her since moving back to the Seattle area to get together.
Our fathers were cousins and her father, George, worked at the Buttercrisp Bakery with my Dad. So sorry that we were not able to make the connection.
I was so looking forward to seeing her at our 50th reunion. She will be missed and I will never forget what a fun and warm loving person she was.
I send my condolences to her family. Carol Mandas Lyons
There are far too many memories to be able to relate- from our high school cheer leading days to a visit in Hawaii one year. I was saddened to hear the news of Marilees passing, and send my condolences to her family. I just wish I could be there to celebrate her life on the 2nd.
Marilee had a great sense of humor and a laugh to accompany it. I miss her! I hope the deeper memories of her family sustain them during their time of grieving. What a good person Marilee was and if you share my hope, still is!
Marilee, you were a special part of my life. You will be missed by all that knew and loved you. May you rest in Peace
God Bless
Skip
I had the good fortune to work with Marilee for the past 4 years. Words cannot express how much joy and humor Marilee added to our office family. Though her physical presence will no longer be with us she will continue to be in our hearts and thoughts. Marilee will continue to bring a smile to our faces every time we think of her.
Unfortunately due to recent knee surgery I am unable to attend Marilee’s memorial. She was a constant sparkle and joy to many people. For whatever her new adventure is we must be excited for her.
We fondly remember Marilee from long-ago days at Bank of Cal. Such a warm, fun lady. Our sincere condolences to Marilee’s family.
Rick and Larry and family,
Marilee was one of the first Mother’s on our block to hire me for babysitting. I loved babysitting for each of you and for your Mom, she was terrific. Imagine my surprise when I saw her once again at Dain Rauscher many years later. She was a really wonderful person, full of love for each of you and love for life. My heart and prayers go out to you and your families.
Dearest Hagstrom family and especially Ruthie: At my age I regularly read the obituaries hoping I won’t know anyone but then again I really want to know if a friend or acquaintance has passed on and it gives me a chance to reflect on their lives as well to feel fortunate that my immediate family and friends are pretty healthy and alive.
I wish I had known Marilee better but I mostly knew about her from Ruthie and my ex, Ron Patnoe. We of course knew and loved Ruthie since her days at Garfield. Merilee looks like you Ruthie and I’m sure she was as much or more fun than you IF that’s possible. I know you were a very loving family and will miss such an important part of your special family. How devastating to lose her at Xmas or anytime. I can’t imagine your pain and think of you often.
Love you still, Dorothy Patnoe-Powter
Larry,
with sympathy from your 1982 Punahou classmates. Tia Reber sent me the Advertiser announcement.
me ke aloha pumehana,
Mary Friend Williamson
I just received the news and I just want to send my sincerest condolences. Unfortunately I have been thru a similar circumstance with the passing of my mother. I will include your mother and your family in our prayers. Much love and aloha, Hambone
We both miss Marilee so much. We think about her often. Bob worked with her at Dain and I looked forward to visiting her every time I went into their office. She was great fun!
Marilee, I will miss you! I still have those pearl earrings you gave gave me to wear on my wedding day. It was a such a joy to have known you and I thank you for your friendship.