Lenora Myra Marx

Born on August 7, 1933, in Tanzania, Africa, Lenora was the oldest child of Sidney and Vera Beardsell, teachers who left the United Kingdom in the early 1930s and served in Africa for 40 years. Deeply shaped by her parents’ lifelong commitment to mission education, Lenora embraced a life of service herself. She attended Helderberg College in Somerset West, Cape Province, South Africa, where she trained as a secretary and met her future husband, Ronald D. Marx. The couple was married in the Congo in October 1955.

Together, Ron and Lenora lived in several countries, including Rwanda (where their sons David and Mervyn were born), Uganda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The family immigrated to the United States in 1971. In Tanzania, Lenora poured her energy into mission life. She was a loving and dedicated mother who served as her sons’ first homeschool teacher, guiding their early education with patience and resourcefulness amid the challenges and joys of missionary work. Those years in Tanzania—surrounded by the landscapes of her childhood—strengthened the family’s bonds and deepened their shared sense of purpose.

Lenora’s exceptional administrative skills led to a long and respected career as an administrative assistant to several hospital CEOs, including serving alongside her husband at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland.

She was an amazingly strong and capable woman. She could drive a stick-shift Land Rover with confidence, once navigating a terminally ill gentleman back to his African village at dusk and then following her own tracks through the grass to find her way to the main dirt road. She was a talented seamstress and knitter, a passionate bird watcher, and, together with Ronald, an adventurous traveler. The couple explored Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America on both family vacations and health-related mission trips.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald D. Marx (2021). At the time of her passing, Lenora was the cherished matriarch of the family — the last surviving member of her generation.

She is survived by her sons: David Marx (married to Elaine Down Marx) and Mervyn Marx (married to Cynthia Sayer Marx); her grandchildren Jonathan Marx, Catherine Marx Brown, Owen Marx, Derek Marx, and Gillian Marx; and her great-granddaughters Kinsley, Riley, and Callie (daughters of Catherine). She leaves behind many extended family members and friends whose lives were enriched by her strength, grace, and quiet devotion.

A celebration of life is being scheduled at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to organizations supporting healthcare missions, education, bird conservation or to one of your favorite charities.