THE PASSING OF MARGE VAN CLEEF
Liz Van Cleef, Marge’s daughter, let us know that Marge died on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at the age of 86. Our friend, leader, challenger, organizer, and valiant and tireless peace activist has breathed her last. Her intellectual prowess was admired as much as her steadfast hold on her ideals. She read widely and integrated her constant learning into her action. She challenged our opinions and helped us to take another look, while staunchly advocating for anti-capitalism, anti-racism, and against all war and violence.
She and her partner, Bill Dyson, created a monthly vigil against drones, recognizing that drones were potentially able to gain acceptance as a less lethal form of warfare, a view that she was determined to work against. Her communities, including WILPF, Greater Philadelphia Branch and the National Disarm Committee, Brandywine Peace Community, Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition, Catholic Peace Fellowship and others, valued her political and intellectual expertise, consistently speaking truth to power through civil disobedience and demonstrations.
Very recently, Marge was diagnosed with Covid, despite being vaccinated and living cautiously. Her family was able to gather while she was in the hospital, and Liz tells us that Marge was alert until the last days and enjoyed the many good wishes that came. She was a committed partner to Bill, and a dedicated grandmother who spoke about her grandchildren with love. She was an organist who continued to play weekly, and an avid gardener and canner.
For those who have asked where to send a card, send to: Bill Dyson, 110 Cliff Terrace, Wyncote, PA 19095
Tina Shelton,
Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Greater Philadelphia Branch
From Liz Van Cleef
Hi everyone –
Thank you all for your outpouring of love and support over the past two weeks, and, especially, over the past couple of days. To say that this has been difficult would be an understatement. We are shattered and shocked and incredibly sad.
It’s a strange thing that at a time like this there is so much planning that needs to be done. But there is¦and something manages to keep us going. So many of you have reached out to offer support, help – logistical or otherwise and that means so much to me. Thank you.
I wanted to let you know that the memorial service for my mom will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 The Oak Road, Philadelphia, PA. I will share the obituary once it is posted, but wanted to just give you this information now.
The service will be in the parish hall and there will be refreshments outside on the lawn afterwards. The hall has large windows that will be open, and a new ventilation system as well, but for those who do not feel comfortable being inside, we will set some chairs on the lawn outside and put a speaker up so that you can hear what is happening inside. The service will also be live-streamed. We are asking that those who are not vaccinated watch the live stream from home, and that everyone (inside or out) wear a mask.
For those of you coming from a distance, we will have a block of hotel rooms – place TBA (thanks to my wonderful cousin, Lisa.)
Please let me know if you have any questions. And please pass this information on to anyone who isn’t on this list, but would be interested to know.
Love, Liz
Elizabeth Van Cleef (She/Her)
617-271-3155
_______________________________________________________
Thank you, Liz, for the peace you have conveyed from Marge’s bedside. Bless You!
A constant throughout the Philadelphia area over all these decades has been the struggle for a better world by your Mom which has blessed us all. She must have know that.
So i am, as my prayer, thinking of all the vigils, demonstrations, and acts of resistance, She and Bill have made for us all in making a difference for justice, peace, and life.
In never ending memory and continuing LOVE for your Mom! bob smith, brandywine peace community
__________________________________________________________
Marge Van Cleff, Presente!
Marge passed from her life of service and protest on Tuesday, October 26th in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. Marge left us battling a ‘breakthrough’ Covid Infection and a Viral Pneumonia after a short struggle in the Hospital ICU.
Although I knew of her departure from this life on Tuesday, I shared with Bob Smith that I felt it critical to speak with Bill Dyson or her daughter, Elizabeth to gain their approval to create and share an announcement to our Atlantic Life Community.
I heard that some members of our Atlantic Life Community have reached out to Bill Dyson to remember Marge after hearing of our loss. All of us who knew Marge and Bill want to share our grief and heartfelt sorrows to Bill on this huge loss of her service to us and to life.
The last time I stood on the vigil line with Marge and Bill, we were on the lawn at the Lockheed Martin Complex in King of Prussia in August for our annual memorial for the lives of the people of Hiroshima. Bill and Marge were always lovers of life and they seem to me to be eternally joined at the hip in heart and in mind. They often walked hand in hand in this life; may they find each other’s hand again in the next, eternally…
Although Marge was fully vaccinated, she must have encountered one too many individuals along the trails and vigils with us who were unmasked and presumably unvaccinated. I believe such news should bring us to pause and to remember the fragileness of our shared community life in the network of our activism and the many moments of risking life itself as we continue to call for a change in heart and mind in our American society and our world. Let’s keep working to keep people alive.
With Profound Respect, Bill Hartman
