Thelma Marcuson Tribute

Thelma was my grandmother Millie’s fun, elegant and artistic younger sister. I grew up admiring her as an artist – I was fascinated by the thin and delicate porcelain bowls she had given our family over the years. I always wanted to learn how to make pots like Thelma.


Summer of 2004 I was over in Holland visiting a friend. Before I headed home my Dad suggested I stopover in London to see Thelma. I went on a whim and what was supposed to be a weekend stay turned into three weeks. Thelma made me feel right at home and especially, amongst family. The entire Marcuson clan was great to me that summer. Thelma knew I was going through a scare with my health and was incredibly generous with me emotionally. She was kind, understanding, funny, and sometimes blunt.
I adored talking to her for hours and hearing her call me darling. I especially loved, when she’d invite me to crawl onto her bed for a nap or a cuddle.


Thelma wasn’t making pots anymore by the time I arrived because of her poor eyesight. She knew I was enthusiastic about pottery, and it was a special treat for me when she showed me into her studio and gave me a lesson on how to throw.


One day she advised me to stop tying my hair back with elastic bands and to use a hairpin instead (as she always did), for a more elegant look. Back home, whenever I would randomly find a hairpin in my apartment I would think: I should call Thelma. I still felt a strong connection and love for her during our long distance phone conversations. Thelma will always be one of my favourite family members.