Marilyn Aird Lieb

Marilyn Aird Lieb passed away peacefully in San Antonio, Texas, on the morning of Monday, March 25, 2024. She was born in the same city on September 3, 1941, to William Bryce Aird, Sr. and Mary Agnes Draper Aird.

After graduating from Alamo Heights High School in 1959, she matriculated at Texas Tech University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She quickly discovered her true passion - travel - leaving school to become a stewardess for American Airlines during the storied heyday of mid-century air travel. While at American Airlines, she was selected to crew Air Force One during the Kennedy administration, and was also featured in a full-page magazine advertisement that ran in national publications.

After traveling the world, she returned to her hometown of San Antonio and married Dwight Lyndol Lieb in 1967; together they raised two children there. In the 1990’s, she embarked on a successful career as a travel consultant, leveraging her lifetime of knowledge to create bespoke - and unique - travel experiences for a handful of clients. Marilyn organized one of the first tour groups to visit post-Soviet Russia and guided groups of docents to view private art collections around the world.

Mere biographical facts can’t begin to describe the fullness of her life, the impact that she made, or the scope of her person. She was a lady of true grace and elegance, always impeccably put together, yet she had a wicked sense of humor and loved nothing more than to laugh with (and sometimes at) her family and friends. She was also a very private person - fiercely loyal and loving to her close friends and family - but still kind to everyone with whom she came into contact. Marilyn lit up the room (always a notable addition, full of vibrant and joyful energy) but in her heart of hearts she wanted nothing more than to be at home in her “comfy clothes,” watching some of her favorite shows or taunting her family in yet another round of Uno.

In addition to travel, her other great passions were food and wine. She journeyed to every continent, experiencing the cuisine and culture of too many countries to count. But once she discovered the hamlet of Healdsburg, in Sonoma County, California, it was in a cottage there - on the side of a hill in a vineyard - that her heart resided in the later years of her life. She was never happier than when she was nestled with her family in that area of Northern California.

She also loved spending time with her beloved granddaughter. From the day Reagan was born, they were two peas in a pod and partners in crime. Whether they were on an adventure together in a foreign country or snuggling on a couch laughing at memes, there was nowhere either one of them would have rather been than right next to each other.

She meant so much to so many. Mom. Grey Cat. Nina. A series of nicknames throughout a storied life. Everyone who met her was struck by her energy and presence. She was a force of nature, and her passing will forever leave a massive hole in the lives of those who knew and loved her.

Marilyn passed away peacefully, holding the hands of her husband and her children, framed by a beautiful view of downtown San Antonio in the background. Her life of adventure was now complete – and, like always, she was returning home.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father and mother, older brother, William Bryce Aird, Jr., and family companion, Gladys Grice. She is survived by her husband of fifty-seven years, Dwight Lieb, and her children Emily Lieb Bajus (John) and Richard Eric Lieb (Melinda). She is also survived by her grandchild, Reagan Louise Bajus, a brother, James Whitney Aird (Mimi), as well as her beloved furry companions, Beauregard Lieb, Lola Bajus-Lieb, and Foster Lieb.

Per her wishes, no funeral service is planned. Against her wishes, however, a celebration of love and her remarkable life will be set at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, her favorite philanthropic organization.

She was unique in every way, and will be forever missed more than any words can convey.