As long as time shall last, the memory of Lydia Elizabeth will live with us and her footprints in the sands of time shall forever last. What she did and who she was cannot be forgotten so easily.
On this special occasion of our 75 Anniversary, we render special tribute to her who gave the best of her life to a people she came to serve and who she did not know. She did it with concern and a true love for her fellowmen.
Miss Marx was the personification of Colegio Moravo and the Colegio was the personification of Miss Marx. To speak of one is to speak of the other.

She belonged to a family of missionaries and she also decided to become one. Her parents served the poor and need in the little town of Poo high up in the lofty Himalaya Mountains in the region of Tibet where Lydia was born on the 4th of November 1908.
Lydia received a solid education from various institutions of learning in the U.S. and Canada. She was very fluent in French, German, English, besides her master of Latin and later on she dominated Spanish and Miskito which she often liked to speak with me.
Her dream was to become a missionary like her parents and her wish was centered on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, specially the city of Bluefields, for what reasons we do not know. Her dreams became a reality in 1939 after an exploratory visit in 1938. She replaced the Rev. Conrad Shimer who was transferred to Pearl Lagoon. Under her direction the Moravian Junior High School began to grow and by 1949, it began to open its doors to students from other communities along the Atlantic Coast.

In 1949 the school was renamed "Colegio Moravo" beginning studies of bachelor in science and letters. Students began to arrive from the four Cardinal points extending her fame worldwide, placing its moral and academic prestige very highly.
There's not the least doubt that because of her stately personality, her concern for others, her humbleness and modesty, she won the love and respect of everyone with whom she encounters. She was very much concerned about the welfare of her teachers and students. This explains why so many students knew of her goodness and why so many were secretly educated by her. I, who was so close to her, can testify that her teachers were first in her heart. She made them feel wanted and often stimulated them even with some kind words.
Because of her extraordinary qualities and her vast preparation, Miss Marx was honored with a doctorate in one of the universities of the United States where she studied in Letters and Humanities at the beginning of the 70's. In 1972 the President of Nicaragua honored her with the Order of Ramirez Goyena. In 1972 the Alumni Association both from the Atlantic and the Pacific and the United States rendered her a well earned tribute with the participation of distinguished members and authorities of Bluefields.

Miss Marx retired in 1972 and was living in 416 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, N.C. from where she was called to her eternal home to be with her Maker in March 1996 having reached the bountiful age of 87 years, 3 months and 27 days.

Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.

Dr. Lydia Elizabeth Marx, 87, of 416 S. Main St. died Feb. 28 after an extended illness. Miss Marx was born Nov. 4, 1908 in Poo, Bushar State, North India, to missionary parents ministering to the Tibetan people. She was educated in the public schools of Nazareth, Pa., and in Victoria, Minn., and then at Salem Academy and Salem College, from which she graduated magna cum laude. She taught languages at Nazareth High School and secured a masters degree in Latin and French from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Subsequently, Miss Marx was honored by her alma mater with the Distinguished Alumna Award, with the Kudos Award, and by Moravian College with an L.H.D. degree. Miss Marx devoted her life to fulfilling the two great commandments: "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself." She served the Board of World Mission of Moravian Church in Bluefields, Nicaragua, Central America, as interim treasurer and then as principal of the Colegio Moravo for 35 years. During her tenure, she influenced the lives of thousands of students of their nation. She built the Colegio Moravo into an institution recognized for the knowledge, discipline and values it helped instill in young people. Her planning led to new buildings, an innovative curriculum and a program of scholarships for needy students. Before her retirement, Miss Marx received an Honorary Gold Medal Award from the president of Nicaragua for her extraordinary service to the youth of Nicaragua. Not only was Miss Marx known in Nicaragua for her excellence as a school administrator, but for her compassion and thoughtfulness. While school principal, Miss Marx opened her home to many students from out of town who otherwise could not have afforded an education. Nine of these she considered "her children", and they thought of her as "Mom". One of these "girls" became a certified home care giver and came from California to care for "Mom" in the closing months of her life. After Miss Marx retired to Winston-Salem, she became an active member of Home Moravian Church. She served as elder, chair of the Mission Committee and the Mission Band, member of the Women's Fellowship, and a volunteer for Home Church to Meals on Wheels and other organizations. For many years, she worked in the Salem Archives translating German manuscripts into English. Her home, located next to the Salem Coffee Pot, was a gathering place for missions and church visitors. Hundreds of her former students wrote to her and visited her here as well. Miss Marx was known not only for her devotion to her extensive Nicaraguan "family", but also to her original Marx family. In her youth, after her father's early death, she became the mainstay of the family, supporting her mother and four siblings. "Aunt Elly" was very devoted to her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She faithfully remembered each birthday and Christmas. She was much beloved by all those whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her sister, Maria (Maya) Marx. Surviving are one sister, Mrs. McMurry (Erika) Richey of Durham; two brothers, Dr. Werner Marx of McLean, Va., and Dr. Samuel Marx of Pfafftown; her 31 nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and by her humble companion, former missionary in Alaska, Frances Huetter. The family will receive friends at Vogler's Main Street Chapel from 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 1. The Rev. Lehoma Goode, Rev. Gerald Harris and Rev. Wilfred Dreger will officiate at the service at Home Moravian Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Interment will be in the Salem congregation cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to the Mission Band of Home Moravian Church; and to the Mission Aviation Fellowship under which her nephew, Steve Marx, serves in Ecuador, South America (address: M.A.F., Box 3202, Redlands, Calif. 92373).

Dear Alumni and Friends of the Colegio Moravo:

In memory of our sister, Lydia Elizabeth Marx, we her brothers, sister, and spouses send heartfelt greetings for the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Colegio Moravo. The Colegio was our sister's whole life for some thirty-five years. "Miss Marx" will be with you in spirit rejoicing with you in the progress and success of the school.

We pray the Lord will continue to bless and to make fruitful the endeavors of all who carry on the work and ministry of Colegio Moravo. Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this significant occasion.

Very cordially yours,

Werner and Martha Marx
Sam and Grace Marx
McMurry and Erika Marx Richey

The following paragraph was a portion of the reading for February 17, 1976 from UPPER ROOM DISCIPLINES. Will enclosed it in a letter he wrote to me while I was here in Winston-Salem with Alice Hooker, who was terminally ill with leukemia at the time.

"Everything we do about cancer is directed toward the hope for healing. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, medication and our own earnest prayers-searching are all directed toward new life and health. Sometimes that effort cannot prevail. In spite of all, there are times when death becomes the final gift. In using the word gift, it must be explained that death has often been seen as welcome and freeing grace. There are times when we are healed, but regardless of how often healing come to us in the past, there is always that time when death becomes the next and final step in this life. We must not think that physical healing is the only sign of God's grace. To have lived well is the only meaningful approach to death. To have lived in God's caring love, to have given Him praise and thanksgiving for all His benefits, to have used life in honoring God is to experience death as gain and victory rather than as loss and defeat."

These words were a great comfort to me in 1976 and they are a comfort to me now. I find it significant that this letter was unearthed at this time when our thoughts and prayers are focused on our dear Elizabeth.

May they in some small way bring comfort and peace to your heart as well.

My love and prayers,

L. Dreger