September 16, 1926 - February 17, 2022

Marydel Leiter passed away quietly on February 17, 2022, at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, ‘Bud’ (Allen F.) and parents, May G. and Walter G. Rehbein.  She is survived by her children, Rhonda (Jim), Terri, Allen (Margo); grand-children Casey, Kristi, Morgan and Erin; great-grandchildren; sister, Myrtis (Larry); niece, Deanna and nephew, Dale. There will be no services but we will carry her forever in our hearts.

Marydel was born and grew up in Seattle, WA, with some years in Georgia and Pennsylvania as her family moved with the Navy.  Upon her return to Seattle, she attended the University of Washington, becoming a lifelong member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. Her contributions of time and resources garnered her the Order of the Golden Rose and the Order of the Pearl, for over 65 years of membership, and the Achoth Award for her long and faithful service and loyalty to Delta Zeta and her local community.

Marydel was a member of the Girl Scouts for over 55 years, as a youth member; with her parental involvement for Terri and Rhonda as leader; and carried that concern throughout her adult life with ‘enthusiasm and love for the Girl Scouts’ as noted at an award ceremony noting her tenure. She also played an instrumental part in helping with Allen’s advancement through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

She was a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Needle Arts Guild in 1972, whose Board bestowed upon her a Lifetime Membership Award in 2017. Marydel was also a member of the Pacific NW American Needlepoint Guild, Edmonds Chapter, for many years. “Marydel was everyone’s favorite – talented, gracious and always welcoming.  She was an extremely accomplished stitcher and an example to us all.”

Her amazing talent in all things textile and stitchery were also shared with the University of Washington’s Henry Art Gallery, in over thirty years of volunteering to catalogue, describe, repair and prepare various works from all over the world for their Textile Collection.  Many juried art show awards would speak to her wonderful needlework skills, right down to special hand-crafted birds for family members’ Christmas trees, each and every year for over 30 years! Her quilts, lovingly handsewn, are works of art in and of themselves, taking years to complete to her satisfaction. Paperweights, jewelry, wall art – her embroidery, needlepoint and needlework knew no bounds and her work was always impeccable!

Marydel loved traveling the globe with friends, enjoying many countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia, China, the Panama Canal and Venezuela, as well as trips to Hawaii and Alaska.  Extensive travel throughout the United States as a child, as well as with Bud and bringing up their family, gave her a great encyclopedia of learning and understanding our wonderful world.

Marydel lived her life fully, with much love, laughter and attention to detail – whether teaching her children ‘hospital corners’ per Navy regulations; raising them by the rules of Dr. Benjamin Spock; building her wonderful home around ‘Hints by Heloise’; or through many and varied church and community contributions. A Life Well Lived, and she will be greatly missed.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

There will be no services but we will carry her forever in our hearts. Please sign guest book herein if you wish.