This is a birthday card for Marla. She embodies the very best as a wife, a mom, grandmother, and a friend. The “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” she has sometimes encountered in life are simply momentary setbacks to be overcome by her intellect and unique strength of character! Yes… she is my beautiful warrior and partner on this adventurous road of life. I’ll take you on a visual journey over the years with my birthday girl.

Her radiant smile is something I adore about her!

Her family is the most important thing in her universe.

A super happy moment on our recent trip to Dallas. She’s wearing a pink cast from a tendon transfer surgery.

A happy moment at dinner.

A 2022 hike in Walnut Creek, California.

Marla and I attended the 100th Anniversary at her beloved Geneva Glen Camp in 2022. Three generations of our family have attended the summer camp.

A Valentine’s Day dinner in 2021.

A treasured photo at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in August 2021.

With her Girls in 2019.

I love this photo of her in Marbella, Spain in 2019.

Marla has never been afraid of hard work! If something needs to be done she is all in! She is cleaning the floor of our former Wesco Fabrics’ empty headquarters and warehouse in 2017. The building sold shortly afterwards.

One of my favorite memories of Marla is sourcing products with me for our business! We are at one of our favorite wood carving suppliers in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It didn’t matter whether the places were fancy or dilapidated, dark or scary, or with rats or bats,…Marla was always game for the hunt for treasures we could sell in our business!

She is looking stunning at the 2015 wedding for Brian and Steven in Dallas.

Marla is at the 2014 wedding for our friend Jean-Francois in Reims, France. The dancers in the photo above prompt me to share a little known secret about her. From family trips to Las Vegas from the age of 8 on she dreamed of being a showgirl!

At a 2013 presentation for our clients. She loved participating in company seminars.

Marla loves to learn! She is with our guide at the silk museum in Suzhou, China.

Looking beautiful in 2011 in Positano, Italy.

Lifting a glass in 2010.

A favorite shot of the family at our 60th Anniversary party for Wesco Fabrics in 2006.

She looks like a fashion model in San Francisco.

Looking sultry in Lugano.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.