Lynnwood historian, writer passes
Published 8:03 pm Tuesday, February 23, 2010
After growing up bouncing between Everett and Seattle, Marie Little married into one of the families that originally settled Alderwood Manor. She started her married life enveloped in the local history of what is now Lynnwood, putting her writing prowess to work so that important events would not be forgotten.
Little, Lynnwood’s official city historian, died of lymphoma Feb. 15. She was 77.
Little spent the better part of her life uncovering and sharing the history of the area as it moved from rural Alderwood Manor to the city of Lynnwood. On Dec. 14, the Lynnwood City Council proclaimed her as historian, giving her a key to the city and naming a street Marie Little Drive in her honor.
Little is survived by her husband, Warren; daughter Ellen; son Brett and his wife Dawn; seven grandchildren, Reuben, Copley, Aurora Martin, Erin and her husband Hams Seidemann, Michelle, Brooke and Brittany.
“What has touched me is that everyone she knew was her friend,” her daughter said.
Long active in Alderwood Manor Heritage Association events and activities, Little saw these efforts as a means to keep history alive for future generations. She was instrumental in the formation of Heritage Park. The park, located on Poplar Way south of I-5, opened in 2004.
Little and her husband moved to their home on 44th Avenue West in 1952, seven years before Lynnwood was dubbed. Their original plot was 2.5 acres.
As she learned the city’s history she initiated a local radio show, “If Houses Could Speak,” exploring many of the area’s homes and their histories. Little also wrote newspaper and magazine articles about the area and its history.
Beside her historical writings, she also wrote a regular column for The Enterprise.
“As a teenager I didn’t always appreciate her columns,” her daughter recalled. “Particularly the one about my first two-piece bathing suit. But her writings were humorous. It was like you were talking to her.”
Little earned a degree in Communications from the University of Washington and also worked in public relations.
