Mariel Cecelia Gechter

Mariel Cecelia Gechter, born April 30, 1938, in Santa Monica, California, passed away on November 30, 2023. As a child she loved riding horses with her mother and singing funny tunes with her father. She especially cherished her time in Idylwild where her family had a log cabin.

In the early 60s she met Fritz H. Gechter in a hiking club while studying at the University of Hawaii. Not too long after, they got married in California, moved to Seattle, Washington and eventually settled in Bothell where they raised their three children, Fritz, Christina, and Erika. She was a wonderful mother, always giving her children unconditional love.

After retiring, Mariel moved to Monroe, Washington where she lived out her years with Fritz and continued to garden, read, drink tea, and devote her time to her grandchildren, Adrian, Sophia, and Aidan. And of course she continued to do what she loved most, travel! She and Fritz spent many happy times hiking, traveling to foreign destinations, and taking their motor home on many trips around the U.S. - often with their cat, E. R.

We will always remember Mariel being full of strength, resilience, love, with a never ending quest for new adventures. She will always be deeply loved and forever with us all. We love you Mama, forever and always.

I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect, and loved you even more. -Angelita Lim

She is Gone, by David Harkins

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.