Long-Time West Seattle Resident
Marjorie Wylde Delsman, age 97, died in her home on January 2, 2007. The daughter of Pearl and Samuel Wylde, who immigrated to West Seattle from Canada and England respectively, Marjorie was born on March 7, 1909, in the family home on 47th Ave S.W. Her grandfather, Samuel Wylde, founded Novelty Mill flour Company in 1893 and developed it into a prosperous family business shipping "Excellent Flour' to Alaska and Asia. The mill was located Where Salty's Seafood Grill on Alki is today. Marjorie, her parents, and her brother, Sam Jr., moved to their new home on Lander and 37th Ave S.W. when she was 11. She attended Lafayette Grade School and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1927. When reminiscing about her youth, Marjorie recalled the rural nature of West Seattle where many people owned cows and chickens, and where people rode streetcars to the local business district and ferries to downtown Seattle. Marjorie spent her summers with extended Wylde family members on Hood Canal. Initially they camped in tents at Nellita and later in a family-built cabin at Rose Point where they vacationed for over fifty years.
In early 1930's Marjorie met her husband of 64 years, Mark Delsman, while working at Pacific Telephone Company. After WWII, they moved into the home they built just a half block away from where Marjorie grew up. They lived there their entire lives.
Marjorie was a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church which was founded in 1892, in part by the Wylde family. She was an active school volunteer and member of The Visiting Nursing Society. An ardent UW Husky football fan, she attended her last game at 96. After her husband's retirement, the couple traveled widely. However, Seattle and particularly West Seattle remained her favorite city in the world.
Marjorie is survived by one son, Alan Delsman, of Brooklyn Heights, New York, one daughter, Judith Delsman Robinson, of Atherson, California, a daughter-in-law, Barbara Edwards Delsman and a son-in-law, Walter Robinson. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Christopher Delsman, Elizabeth Hunter, and Katherine and Anne Robinson. A memorial Service will be held on Sunday January 7th at 3pm at St. John the Baptist Church, 4210 Sw Handford, Seattle, WA 98116. Remembrances should be made to St. John's Church.
