A eulogy for Beth Marschak by her friend Mary Dean Carter
When Beth Marschak died of smoke inhalation from a house fire in June 2026, Richmond, Virginia, lost a lifelong political crusader whose shoes will be hard to fill. Mary Dean Carter, her friend of over fifty years and collaborator in many lesbian feminist actions, gave this eulogy at a memorial held in Beth’s honor.
Beth Marschak and I were friends and colleagues for over fifty years. We first met in the early '70s as students at Westhampton College of the University of Richmond. Beth was organizing a Women’s Liberation group, and I attended one of the meetings. I was introduced to feminism and women’s rights through a class and wanted to know more.
Then, in 1975, we met again when Beth became a co-founder of Richmond Lesbian Feminists (RLF) and I was an original member. RLF is one of the longest lasting lesbian-feminist organizations in the country, and last year we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Beth was the glue that held it all together. She had extraordinary leadership and organization skills, as well as political savvy. It was frequently said that “no one could run a meeting like Beth Marschak.” She was an incredible problem solver, and helped RLF navigate many challenging times and situations. RLF was involved in political advocacy but also was a place for lesbians to know they were not alone. For many years we produced a monthly newsletter, held potlucks and women’s festivals, and hosted women musicians. Ours was a friendship of shared values and mutual interests.
Beth was a self-described “home-grown radical.” Most of you know or have read about her activism, honors, and many accomplishments in the realm of social justice, civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights, so I’d like to share some personal reflections of Beth as a dear friend.
Beth was always there for me if I was going through any difficulties. Once when I was having an especially hard time in a job, she showed up at my home unannounced and asked me where I would like to go that would be a relaxing, peaceful environment. I told her Maymont. So she drove me over and we walked to the area near the waterfall and sat on a rock. She pulled out a little notebook and told me to make a list. I don’t really have a recollection of what that list was supposed to be about, but the point was she knew that was something that would help relieve my anxiety and overwhelm. And it did.
I really considered Beth a part of my extended family. She knew my mother and sister, and they loved her. She was there for me when my grandfather and parents died.
Beth was also a lot of fun. We enjoyed shopping at By Gones in Carytown for costumes to wear to the RLF Halloween parties. We went to flea markets, and many cultural events. Beth had excellent taste in books and movies, and I tried to follow up on her recommendations. She loved women the surrealist artists Frida Kahlo and Lenora Carrington. She was a huge fan of science fiction, and her favorite authors were Angela Carter and Octavia Butler. She enjoyed comic books and collected action figures of strong women. She loved Wonder Woman, and to my mind she embodied that archetype.
One of Beth’s eccentricities was her love of Coca-Cola Classic. She used to ride around in her car with cases of it in the back seat.
Beth had a great sense of humor and was funny, wise, and very stubborn. But most of all she was kind, compassionate, and loyal.
Even though she had a very public persona, she was very private about her personal life. Sometimes people would ask me questions about her romantic life or if I knew who she was dating, and I’d have to answer, I’ve got nothing.
One of her favorite musical groups was Sweet Honey in the Rock, an African American, all female, a capella music ensemble.
As I reflect on Beth’s life, I’d like to share a passage of the lyrics from “Ella’s Song”, from the words of activist Ella Baker, adapted by Bernice Johnson Reagon.
“We who believe in freedom will not rest until it comes.
I’m a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard.
At times I can be quite difficult,
I’ll bow to no man’s word.
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.”
Someone sent me the following unattributed quote recently, and I thought it appropriate to share here. “Be those things you loved most about the people who are gone.” When it comes to my friend Beth Marschak, that is a very tall order, but we can only do our best.
I loved Beth very much and she is missed.
For more about Beth Marschak’s political activism, see her interview for the Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project.
