Obituary of Marie E. Hvolbeck

Marie E. Hvolbeck December 27, 1932 - March 26, 2014 Marie Hvolbeck, 81 years old, of Bedford Hills, NY, died Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at home after a long and brave battle against cancer. Marie was the daughter of the late Dominick and Josephine Faillace of Mamaroneck, NY. Marie was born on December 27, 1932 in Mt. Pleasant, NY. She was the younger of two children, having an older brother Sal. Marie grew up during the Depression and told stories of how she collected rubber for the war effort. She and Sal would scour the neighbor for rubber scraps. Marie even donated her favorite doll which was made out of rubber to the effort. Marie grew up in Mamaroneck and after graduating high school she got her first job as a secretary in New York City. She was very proud of this position and found taking the train and walking a few blocks from Grand Central Station to her work place to be very exciting and quite an adventure. When Marie was 14 she met my father (Ray) at the Fireman's Carnival down at Harbor Island. Ray wanted to date her but Marie told him she was too young to date and he should call her in two years - so he did! (Their stories differ a little on this). A couple of years later Ray & Marie married! They were married for over 62 years! Together Marie and Ray built their life in Bedford Hills, where they raised their two children Neil and Debbi. They struggled through hard times but always worked together for their family. Marie's family was the focal point of her life. Every decision she made was for the best interest of her family. She always put them first. Marie was a stay at home mom (which was the way of the fifties) She involved herself with school committees, church committees, and ladies clubs. She was an excellent seamstress; an inherited talent from her mother. She was part of a sewing group with the neighborhood ladies. All of our Halloween costumes and Barbie doll clothes were hand-made! When Ray went into business for himself, Marie became the "Accountant "for their business and worked alongside my father for many years. Marie filled her life with making her children happy and her home a place of warmth and comfort for the entire family. Both Marie and Ray enjoyed years of family gatherings with both the Hvolbeck and Faillace sides of the family. These were always memorable and special times. They also enjoyed getting together with their close friends whether it was to go on camping trips together or just throwing fun parties. Marie enjoyed painting and we have many of her pieces displayed around the house. She was also an avid gardener with an incredible "Green thumb". She loved the beach, especially Cape Cod and later the beaches in Florida, where Ray and Marie spent many a cold winter. However, the greatest pleasure for Marie came with the births of her grandchildren; Eric, Lauren and Ashley. They were her world and there was never a more devoted grandmother, "Nani". She spoiled them rotten and loved every minute of it. Marie is survived by her loving husband Raymond Hvolbeck of Bedford Hills, NY, her son Neil Hvolbeck, and her daughter Debbi Hvolbeck, both of Brewster, NY, and her three grandchildren; Eric and Lauren Hvolbeck, and Ashley Livingston. Marie is also survived by her brother Salvatore Faillace and his wife Patsy Lou of Santee, CA. Visitation hours will be Sunday March 30, 2014 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Oekler and Cox Funeral Home in Mt. Kisco, NY. Funeral service will be Monday, March 31, 2014 at 10:00 am at Oekler and Cox Funeral Home in Mt. Kisco, NY. Burial will immediately follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, NY In Lieu of Flowers donations to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.