Marie Eleanor Heim

Marie Eleanor Peterson was born to Sidney and Edna Peterson on the 17th of August 1931. Sid was fortunate to find jobs with the federal government in those years of the Great Depression, although it did result in the family having to pull up stakes and move from time to time — from Spokane, Washington to Libby, Montana; Salem, Oregon; Tacoma, Washington, and eventually to Seattle.

Marie was soon joined by a sister, Marion, and then, much later, two boys: James and Tommer. Marie attended Aquinas Academy high school in Tacoma, where she was an outstanding and popular student. She enrolled at Marylhurst College in Portland, Oregon, where she met her future husband Gerald Thomas Heim backstage at a drama production.

Marie and Gerry were married in 1954 and enjoyed 57 years and 359 days together, raising seven children: Erik, Mark, Christopher, Paul, Peter, Mary and Anne-Marie.

In between raising children, managing a bustling household, and being active in Blessed Sacrament Parish, Marie found time for volunteer work as well as a variety of jobs. These included x-ray delivery, Spanish teacher, assistant to the principal of Pope John XXIII School, and real estate agent. While with the Franciscan Renewal Center, she organized and led tours to European sites associated with Hildegard von Bingen and other Catholic mystics.

In midlife, Marie and Gerry began a new career in the estate sales business, operating a shop, Store II, on North Killingsworth Street. “The Store” was only open on Saturdays, when it served as a much-beloved rendezvous for family, friends, dealers, traders and collectors. Similarly, the family home on North Melrose Drive was the hub of activities for the entire extended clan — a warm and bustling retreat where everyone was welcome.

A side benefit of running the store was that it enabled regular trips to Europe for the purpose of “keeping the merchandise interesting.” Marie and Gerry enjoyed exploring France, Italy, Spain and the UK, often accompanied by some of their offspring and their spouses. After closing the store in 2004, they sold the Melrose house and moved to northeast Portland. Gerry passed away in 2012.

For several years Marie lived with her youngest daughter Anne-Marie and her husband John Jones. More recently, she was a resident of St. Andrew’s Memory Care near Mt. Tabor in southeast Portland. Marie passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on August 2, 2024. She is survived by her siblings James and Tommer Peterson, her seven children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Marie was a strong, intelligent woman who radiated charm, grace and warmth. She leaves a void in our lives but will live forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life for Marie will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Zeller Chapel of the Roses, 2107 NE BROADWAY ST, PORTLAND, OR 97232.