September 6, 2024
Marjorie D. Birmingham passed away peacefully on August 21st at the age of 78. Mardi, as she was called by all who knew her, was born in Cohasset, MA on December 20, 1945, the first child of the late David and Marjorie (Chapman) Dunlap. She grew up in Hingham, MA, attending the local schools there before matriculating to her beloved Wellesley College. After raising four children in Weston, MA, Mardi returned to Hingham where she created her own garden oasis a short walk from World’s End.
Mardi was known for her intellect, humor, artistic talent and creativity. The Sunday Times Crossword was no match for her sharpened pencil and she always had a creative idea up her sleeve. Family and friends eagerly anticipated the witty poems she wrote to mark their birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations, as well as the intricately assembled wrapping that adorned their gifts. From life-sized frozen snow animals she constructed on the front lawn in the winter for her kids to play on, to homemade birthday party games like pin-the-nose on Snoopy, Mardi loved to make things for those around her and in the process, made the world a little more beautiful. Mardi was also an accomplished gardener by and amateur landscape architect. If you couldn’t find her in the house, she most likely was out in the garden, dressed in the oranges and dusty pinks of a sunset, a trowel in hand and an energetic labrador retriever by her side.
Collecting friends wherever she went with her bright smile and warm nature, Mardi was cherished by many and will be greatly missed. Mardi is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kate and Frits Bontekoe of Geneva, Switzerland; her daughter and son-in-law, Maggie and John Mittan of Piedmont, CA; her daughter Suzy, of Los Angeles, CA; her son Michael, of Hingham, MA; her 3 beloved grandchildren, Matthew, Ben and Eli; and her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Kix Brooks of Nashville, TN.
A celebration of life will be held in her honor at a later date.