Elinor Rosade Marcks

Elinor Rosade Marcks (89), Seeker, Mother and Artist, went home to the universe January 16, 2026. Born December 6, 1936 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to (Evie) Helen Evelyn (née Goodman), and (Frankie) Frank William Rosade, Elinor lived around the world and on the East Coast most of her life. She moved to Utah in 2012 to spend time with her beloved daughters, grandchildren and son-in-law.

As a young person Elinor volunteered at the Allentown Museum, taught arts and crafts to kids at a summer resort and joined the Moravian Church’s youth group within which she found fellowship and solace. She had a deep appreciation for classical music from her Father which led to her being one of the youngest singers invited to join the esteemed Bach Choir in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Growing up Elinor was seldom without a drawing pencil in her hand.

She put herself through Kutztown State Teachers College by babysitting, and went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. While in Philadelphia she volunteered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and for the Horizon House Mental Health Organization.  She rowed on the Schuylkill River and enjoyed a very busy social calendar.

Elinor worked as an art educator for all levels, abilities and backgrounds in both the public and private sector throughout her life, teaching for the Allentown School District, and at the Baldwin School. She married in the 1960s and had a daughter before moving abroad where her second daughter was born.

Elinor lived in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. She spoke light Japanese, conversational German and was fluent in French. She had a profound respect for the cultures of every place she lived and thrived within them.

Upon returning to the United States she lived in Hershey, Pennsylvania where she tutored ESL students and volunteered at the Hershey Museum and Harrisburg Historical Society. By then a single mother, Elinor continued to travel and took courses with various institutions (USC/ Idywild, Aurora University Graduate School/ Chicago) and attended artist retreats (Vermont Studio School). Her passion for singing was reignited when joining the Bach Choir once again in her 40s.

She lived almost thirty years in Frederick, Maryland where she actively engaged in the community. She served on the Frederick Arts Council as the Drama liaison, was a member of the local French Club, attended Quaker meetings and continued to tutor local students. She worked for a time as an assistant art gallerist and performed on-site operations for several local developers in their model homes before retiring from full time work.

Elinor’s fascination with Asian culture and art began as a girl while reading stories of Marco Polo’s adventures.  Her profound interest led her to becoming a lauded docent at The National Museum of Asian Art, part of the Smithsonian Museum, in Washington D.C. for over 12 years. Her attention to detail and passionate delivery often garnered applause at the conclusion of her tours. She relished being surrounded by the treasures at the museum, and working alongside her fellow docents.

An innovative thinker, Elinor always brought a sense of humor, impeccable taste, and an exacting nature to whatever project she worked on whether it was designing homes in Belgium and Pennsylvania or running the local Girl Scout troop for her daughter in Kobe, Japan.

Elinor was a truly gifted artist. Paintings, sketches, sculptures, wood cuts, and copper plate etchings filled every home in which she lived. Though she showed a few works publicly over the years, creating the pieces themselves and studying various artists, art forms and art history was most fulfilling to her.

Her lifelong appreciation of learning was one of her finest attributes. Her home library was enviable. She loved the works of Edgar Allan Poe, George Bernard Shaw, and Molière. Her favorite book was Huckleberry Finn. She loved the theater, movies, fashion and music of all kinds.

Her greatest accomplishments and the loves of her life were her daughters Chantal and Nicole. Elinor instilled creativity, fierce independence, and a love of the arts in her children. Often speaking in various accents to wake them up for school and drawing extra features in storybooks for them, she was a magical and loving Mother. They are endlessly grateful for her gifts and generosity of spirit.

Survived by daughters Chantal Marcks and Nicole Marcks, son-in-law Tom Shannon (Nicole) and grandchildren Simone “Rocky” (Nicole) and Anthony (Chantal) of Park City, Utah, brother Chase Rosade of New Hope, Pennsylvania, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Arrangements were made by Starks Funeral Parlor. A private family ceremony and Aquamation have taken place as Elinor wished her body to be free from preservation and her ashes to be spread throughout the world. An online celebration of life will happen at a later date. To honor Elinor’s memory, plant a tree, visit an art museum or listen to Shostakovich or Gershwin.

The sound of your unbridled and joyous laughter is forever with us.  We love and miss you, Mama.