Washblog || On the Passing of Karen Marchioro

On the Passing of Karen Marchioro

By noemie maxwell
Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 12:45:49 PM PST
Section: Diary Topic: General news/info

"(Her efforts) led to a unified state Party living under a democratically adopted Charter. She became state chair in 1981, and led us until 1993. She took a weak state Party reeling from Reagan�s victory and statewide Republican successes and turned it into a major force in state politics, always on the side of liberal reforms, and a serious factor in the 1992 victories of Bill Clinton, Patty Murray and Mike Lowry."
From: Remembering Karen by Dick Kelley

Jeff Smith, former executive director of the Washington State Democratic Party, and Karen Marchioro, Washington State member of the Democratic National Committee and past Chair of Washington State Democratic Party. Taken on 7/17/07 at the Kickoff for Rodney Tom's campaign for US Congress, 8th CD

August 30, 2007

STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF
KAREN MARCHIORO

[Press release from Washington State Democratic Party]

SEATTLE - Washington State Democrats were deeply saddened today by the passing of Karen Marchioro.

Upon hearing the news of Karen's passing, Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz issued the following statement:

"All of us involved in Democratic politics in Washington State are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our dearest friends, Karen Marchioro. The Washington State Democratic Party would not exist as it does today were it not for Karen's 30 plus years of service. Her wisdom, cool demeanor and loyalty have been integral parts to both our state party, as well as our lives. Karen was a dear friend and she will be greatly missed. We send sincere condolences to Karen's entire family."

Karen Marchioro first became involved in Democratic politics in the 1970's in East King County's 48th Legislative District. She later became chair of the King County Democrats and in 1981, Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party where she remained until 1993.

As Chair of the Washington State Democrats, Karen was instrumental in drafting the charter of the state party. Without Karen's leadership, the party would never have attained the technological and financial security it maintains today. She was currently serving as an elected member to the Democratic National Committee, and was the former DNC Western Regional Chair.

Karen's lifetime achievements are best summarized by King County Democratic Chair Susan Sheary, who once said of Karen, "Before Washington State had Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and Christine Gregoire, Washington State had Karen Marchioro."

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On the Passing of Karen Marchioro | 10 comments (10 topical)

Photo provided by Susan Sheary

Chair of King County Democrats.

This is Karen Marchioro as Chair of WA State Democratic Party with US Senator Warren Magnuson. It was used on the cover of the program for the nominating convention in 2005 - which was dedicated to her life and times.

by noemie maxwell on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 03:07:38 PM PST

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She will be truly missed

I wish her family the best. Our nation and our state are diminished with her departure.

Dave Gibney Pullman

by gibney on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 04:09:45 PM PST

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Karen as mentor

I have read quite a bit today about Karen Marchioro from many perspectives. Grassroots Democrat. Shaper of the Washington Democratic Party. Force of nature. Friend. All of those are true, but I would like to focus on Karen as mentor. I came into the party three years ago with the Dean campaign. In my two plus years as a party chair, I came to rely on Karen not just as a friend but as a mentor. She always made herself available to talk. She always wanted to know what was going on, and was always ready with advice or some bit of inside information that made some confusing situation make sense. I don't claim to be unique in this; I saw her do the same for many people. In all of the times that I talked to her, it always seemed like she considered mentoring a privilege rather than a duty. Helping out those of us who were new was not an interference, but rather a reward she had earned through years of dedication and service. She has done her work well, and the party will continue to prosper due in no small part to the people she has helped along the way. But there will be a big void, and I will miss her tremendously.

by Bryan Kesterson on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 08:24:30 PM PST

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I wish by chadlupkes, 09/01/2007 09:42:05 AM PST (none / 0)

Karen Marchioro

Karen was a second mother to me. She supported my pursuits, helped where appropriate and always encouraged me to be better, do better, seek better. She brought out the best in everyone who knew her because she held others to the highest of expectations -- the same expectations she held for herself. It was dreadful to let her down, but glorious to reach those unexpected and unfathomable heights.

Karen was a pioneer in everyway -- she had uncommon vision; the deepest knowledge of both the past and the future; the idealism and deeply-held principles to set high goals, but the practicality to compromise where necessary; and the singular motivation to improve the world and promote peace and justice. She was a master bridge builder and, like any good engineer or architect, was delighted when others used her bridges to move farther, farther, farther.

Though she deserved it mightily, she never tolerated being placed on any pedestal. She was common folk, always willing to share her personal and political failures so that others could avoid the same mistakes. She never sought glory for glory's sake. Her very essence led her to leadership positions in every pursuit. She had gifts to give, knowledge to share, and these demanded expression. She was fairly bursting with power, smarts, ethics, and grace and that compelled her to accept this ascending role through successive elections and appointments. Karen was never just a seat filler. She was a doer. Once she won election or appointment to a desired post, she didn't rest or bask in the benefits. She started in immediately to contribute. She truly earned the respect, admiration, and friendship of countless world leaders and ordinary citizens, alike.

So, in Karen's honor, please join me first in telling the people you love that you love them -- Karen was famous and gracious in doing that, too. As Karen always did, please then always allow others to strap themselves to you as you move up the ladder -- there's so much room at the top. And please, please use, adapt, improve Karen's bridges - while acknowledging that the road behind has come from Karen's love, generosity, brilliance, and hard work.

Lastly, if there's any lesson I would want the younger people of our party to learn for Karen, it would be that the "old guard" still know a thing or two and that we can all win if we seek, learn from, and follow their sage advice. They are the links from past to future, we are the "next guard," and our time will come. Again, there's lots of room at the top!

My very deepest love to Karen and Jeff, both. Peace to all of us in this most profound time of loss!

Liz Koch

by Liz Koch on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:26:49 PM PST

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I can just see Karen's reaction to all this

Boy, would she be pissed. She'd be demanding that all these good Dems quit all the gushing over her, and start working.

Karen took no guff from anyone. Not from Scoop Jackson, not from Bill Clinton, not from Howard Dean, not from Dwight Pelz, not even from Jeff Smith.

Requiscat in Pace doesn't cut it. Wherever Karen may be, she's raising hell. And she's organizing a progressive caucus.

You're only young once, but you can be immature forever -- Larry Andersen
Blogging at Peace Tree Farm

by N in Seattle on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:21:50 PM PST

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karen Marchioro by Mike Barer, 09/01/2007 05:59:48 AM PST (none / 0)

Tributes

I really appreciate the tributes here.

I had a strong reaction on first hearing Karen Marchioro speak and then briefly meeting her at this past January's State Democratic Party reorganization (where she told me about the pin in her hat -- that it was made by her friend Senator Cal Anderson and that she wears it to important events)