Marie Catherine Ludwick

Marie Catherine Ludwick, born Marie Catherine MacLellan to Neil and Elizabeth MacLellan February 16, 1924 in Somerville, Massachusetts, died peacefully at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Boca Raton, Florida on Tuesday January 26, 2016. She leaves behind sons Walter and Paul, daughters-in-law Delfina Barroca-Ludwick, Darlene Ludwick and Tracy Kodama, and 8 grandchildren: Danielle, Heidi, Andrea, Jacqueline, Jenna, Colin, Miguel and Gabriel...and a “granddaughter in spirit,” Melissa Kodama. Marie was widowed by husband Walter in November of 1985. She lost her beloved eldest son, Mark, in 1994.

After getting a brief start in the advertising business in Boston, she packed up for New York City in her early 20's to further that career, ultimately landing a job there as advertising and PR director for the Mosler Safe Company. She married Walter Ludwick and settled down in the greater New York area. After the birth of her third son, she embarked on an entirely new chapter in her life – Weight Watchers. This brought the young family to the state of Maine where Marie & Walter built their first Weight Watchers franchise territory. Opportunities soon beckoned in central and eastern Canada, prompting a move to the Toronto, Ontario area where they further developed the Weight Watchers business. Marie was a very talented and dynamic group leader and motivational speaker. She tirelessly devoted those talents to the fight against obesity. She earned many awards and accolades in her efforts. Always adept with communications, she was a regularly interviewed guest on many TV and radio programs throughout eastern Canada and Maine throughout the 1970's and 1980's.

Her husband Walter's declining health brought her ultimately to live in Florida full-time beginning in late 1980, first in Lighthouse Point and later ultimately settling in Boca Raton. She maintained strong roots in both Maine and Canada and spent many summers there. She served as a choir member for over 15 years at her parish, St. Paul The Apostle Church in Lighthouse Point. She also served for many years on the board of Wayside House, an addiction recovery center for women in Delray Beach – a cause very close to Marie's heart, one to which she contributed most generously. Memorial contributions in her name can be sent to Wayside House, 378 NE 6th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483.

Visitation will be held at Kraeer Funeral Home on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm with Prayer Service at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 9.30am.