Marsha Germaise

     It’s happening too often—saying goodbye to good friends who have left Ajijic for other areas. This time we bid a sad farewell to Marsha Germaise, who left to test the waters in Puerto Vallarta. Our friendship goes back to 1999, when I met Marsha and her husband George shortly after their arrival in Ajijic. Their warm friendly personalities reached out to everyone they came in contact with, and they soon became an integral part of Ajijic social and volunteer life. With the death of George in 2001, Marsha filled her days gardening, volunteering with Save the Lake, Red Cross and Ninos Incapacitados, and became a familiar figure enjoying the plethora of musical entertainment available in Ajijic. A former model and buyer for St. John—an international high-profile fashion house—Marsha was an impeccable dresser—often in the high-fashion style of New York from which she hailed. Marsha was also a gourmet cook and hostess par excellence, hosting many special topical dinner parties, such as her yearly Chinese New Year celebration, and Casa Redonda became a gathering place for her many friends. There is a Mexican song whose lyrics translate in part: “…This is just adios but not goodbye…” We’ll use these poignant words to say adios Marsha, enjoy your life at the beach and come back often. You will be missed.