Marah (Avanzino) Flemer

 Marah Flemer passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.  She was seventy-seven.  Marah (Avanzino) grew up in the Shipyard neighborhood of Marblehead across from Red Steps.  She graduated from the Marblehead High School Class of ’62, and after living in London and San Francisco, settled into her hometown for many years.  She loved her garden, her Cheoy Lee Woodend, collecting antiques and sentimental pieces, Sunday crossword puzzles with her husband Bill with lattes and scones, cheering on her cherished grandson at all of his soccer and hockey games, hosting a brimful of guests at Sugarloaf, a good recipe, a good book, Masterpiece Theater, and All Creatures Great and Small.  She admired Sir Richard Attenborough, Jane Goodall, and anyone devoted to a good cause.  She was a rescuer of things, people, and animals, including her Arabian horse, Ali, who was a source of tremendous joy to her in recent years.  A self-perfected artisan of extraordinary  gingerbread houses, wedding cakes, and garden cakes, she bestowed these on those most beloved to her, or those who had turned a kind hand that year to someone or something she held dear. 

She is survived by: her husband, William Flemer, her daughter Kristen Buxton Vigsnes, her grandson Ryder Vigsnes, and Erik Vigsnes, all of Ipswich; her stepdaughter, Emilie Flemer and Gibson Peters of Park City, Utah; her godson, Patrick Gilligan of San Diego, CA; as well as her nieces, nephews, and dear and cherished friends.

Her family is grateful to the wonderful nurses, caregivers, and doctors of Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  A celebration of life will take place in the Spring when the daffodils are in bloom.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be given to World Wildlife Foundation at www.worldwildlife.org or the Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, 479 Lacy Street, North Andover MA 01845, both dear to her heart.  Assisting the family is the Morris Funeral Home of Ipswich.  To send a letter of condolence to the family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .

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