Maria Aweida September 28, 1934 - Januar y 1, 2025 Maria Eveline Aweida passed away peacefully at home New Year's Day from complications of heart failure and too many birthdays. Born September 28, 1934 to Friedrich Wilhelm Klemperer and Ingeborg Klemperer in New York City, NY, Maria was the oldest of 4 children. Raised in New England, she began visiting Martha's Vineyard at the age of 3 where she periodically attended elementary school in a one-room school house during the early days of WWII.
She then went on to attend Swarthmore College, where she received a bachelor ' s degree in history, and met her future husband, Jesse Aweida. They were married soon after graduation and moved to Poughkeepsie, NY.
Their love was one for the ages, interrupted only after 68 years by her passing. In Poughkeepsie, she completed a master's degree in education and began work as an elementary school teacher. During this time, Maria obtained her private pilot ' s license and frequently worked as a ferry pilot, transporting airplanes around the region.
When IBM opened its new Boulder campus in 1966, Jesse and Maria jumped at the opportunity to move west, to be closer to world class skiing and raise their rapidly expanding family of five beautiful children.
Maria loved raising children. She always said this was the biggest joy of her life.
In addition to her busy home life, Maria was deeply committed to philanthropy.
She served on the Board of Swarthmore College and was actively involved in the Boulder Community Foundation. In 2000 she founded the April Fund, a philanthropic fund providing financial grants world-wide, run by the women of the Aweida family.
A self-taught ornithologist, she is a published, peer reviewed author on Meadowlark songs.
Trilingual in English, German and Arabic, she enjoyed literature and history and was an accomplished painter, quilter, knitter and artist.
Skiing and golfing well into her 80s, and having run more than 30 Bolder Boulders and Chilmark Road Races, Maria was a lifelong outdoors person and athlete. An unflappable world traveler, she brought joy and kindness to all she met.
She believed that "the joy of love, is giving it away; for it shall last forever and a day".
Maria was deeply loved by her husband Jesse Aweida and children: Lisa Aweida-Ross, Robin Wilkewitz, Dan Aweida, Neil Aweida and Nathan Aweida. Grandchildren: Analiese Ross, Rachel Aweida, Calin Wilkewitz, Leah Ross, Trevor Aweida, Taran Wilkewitz, Taeler Aweida, Ashley Aweida, Kassidy Aweida, Zak Aweida, Jay Aweida and Finn Aweida. Siblings: Katharina (Tinka) Klemperer, David Klemperer and Walter Klemperer.
A celebration of life will occur later in January.