Marilyn Dickse Kirch, known to friends and family as 'Dickse' or 'Dix',
was Born February 15, 1931 and died April 7 2015. She was 84. She spent
nearly 50 years bravely battling the effects of Chronic Progressive
Multiple Sclerosis. As an early follower of the 'Swank MS Foundation
Diet and Lifestyle', Dickse embraced the principles and resources
espoused by the program to fight against the most aggressive type of MS. 
As a result, what became her constant challenge--remaining
ambulatory and engaged--lasted years longer than many thought possible.
We had all grown so accustomed to her rallying back from exacerbations
and MS related ailments that when she finally lost her battle with
Multiple Sclerosis, we were taken by surprise.

Dickse was a free spirit who came of age during and after WWII when old
rules governing a young woman's choices in life were breaking down and
fresh individualistic freedoms and lifestyles were emerging. Hers was
the "Atomic" age. New and fast, with television and open highways, Sinatra
and Sammy Davis, Reno, Tahoe, and driving down the coast. She married
and divorced twice and raised her kids to her standards ... always
curious, never settling for the usual, open to anything but grounded in
reason. Smart, hip, funny and creative, she loved to work and did so for
as long as she could after being diagnosed. She was blessed with movie star looks and was a talented and accomlished ballet, tap and modern dancer who performed for the troops during the war and later worked for a time as a magician's assistant and as a runway model.

The discipline needed to manage MS through adherence to diet and
lifestyle was supported by her friends and family as well as her wonderful and embracing extended family in 'Orting'. That support plus the special commitment, sacrifice and dedication provided by her recently departed "Dear Friend" and 'partner in crime' Phyl (Phyllis J Larsen http://www.forevermissed.com/phyllis-joan-larsen/#about) without any question helped stave off the inevitable progression of the disease by years, if not decades.

"Dickse and Phyl", or "Mom and Phyl" or "Phyl and Dix" were an unabashed
'dynamic duo' who loved to travel and explore. Sometimes their trips
were impromptu short jaunts, other times long and
elaborately planned, but in either case their journeys were joyful and
filled with excitement about new experiences and adventures. D and P loved
traveling with or to see their friends ... sharing the very latest and
getting into mischief. Their enthusiasm for life and laughter was
infectious and their circle included folks both younger and older and was open to
anyone with insatiable curiosity and a quick sense of humor. There was hardly any excuse silly enough to prevent the dynamic duo from jumping in the car and heading out to whatever might be next.
Given the choice,"Go man Go!" was always their mantra.

Even as her struggle with MS took more and more effort to endure, Dickse
held on to her inquisitive spirit and love of the journey. Thanks to
the exemplary care and passionate dedication from the teams at her last home
-- at Baily- Boushay House in Seattle -- she recently took her final day trip to see the "Nutcracker Suite," a fitting "travel finale" for someone who so loved music and dance.

To the end Dickse insisted on keeping a smile on her face and in her heart
and refused to settle for anything less than living her life fully,
with dignity and .... grace.

Preceded in death by her: father Richard Kellett; mother Hortense Townsend Kellett; sister Rhea Leavitt; brother Richard Kellett& close friend Phyllis J. Larsen. Survived by: daughter Marilyn Nataupsky (Wayne Matheny); son Jon Kirch (Marjorie Hillson) and grandchildren Ashley Crawford (Geoff) and Gabe Kirch.

The family would like to give special thanks and recognition to all the caregivers who helped through the years. Dickse grew to love each and everyone and understood the significant role they played in allowing her to stay in her home and maintain her dignity. Enough can't be said about how important their contribution was to Dickse's fulfillment in life and longevity.

 Please consider Swank MS Foundation http://www.swankmsdiet.org/ or Baily Boushay House   http://www.bailey-boushay.org/

 Another link to Phyl's memorial http://www.forevermissed.com/phyllis-joan-larsen/#about