Marie-Kristin Freidow

Marie-Kristin Friedow was 18 years old when she died on April 25th 2010 because of a car accident where she was the driver. She was not speeding, had no drugs and was not texting or using the cell phone. The accident was not any other persons fault, she probably made a minor driving mistake on wet streets that caused here loosing control over her car. She went way too early and a lot of family members and friends are missing her.

The website http://www.marie-kristinfriedow.com/ created to keep Marie-Kristin Friedow in memory, but also to try to show others a little of why she was so special and how one person can have an impact on so many other people.

She loved to help other people and lived her live with passion. While others have convictions and principles about a lot of things, Marie-Kristin lived them and expressed them. She believed that most animals harvested for meat were not treated well and therefore became a vegetarian. She was an active and committed member in a group called Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) because she believed it is the right thing to do. Even if that meant that she had to step out of a safe comfort zone.

She took the people around her the way they were and did not try to change them. With all their human flaws and mistakes.

I question some things
but unquestioningly accept much more
For once, I'm content where I am
sort of.
I'll work on it, alright?

I'm just searching right now
and for the first time...
finding
Part of me says to stay where I am
but I'm far too intent on moving forward

I'd be content to enter people's lives
make a positive change
and leave,
never expecting anything in return.
But when I do touch people,
they always touch me
and it's what I live for.

Marie joined the Plymouth Canton High School GSA as a freshman and immediately began contributing by creating a web site for us. Since then, she has been a fearless and stalwart defender of GLBTQ students at the school, accepting everyone in the club without judgment. Young, old, beautiful, geeky, annoying, and charismatic: all were Marie's friends because they were in GSA. She brings a cheerful energy to the club that's been invaluable: Every year, she participated in the Day of Silence, wearing duct tape as a freshman and enduring the resultant insults. In 2007 she became our secretary and acted in the skit we performed in the school's Celebration of Diversity. This year, she's been designing our posters, including a flyer for our area GSA summit. I know that Marie is determined to be independent next year, living on her own in Washington and funding her own education. Her plan is to attend Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington. This scholarship would be a welcome help to her, I'm sure.

Thank you to Thomas, Christel & Michelle Friedow for their generous donation to create this scholarship.

Donations to continue funding Marie-Kristin Memorial Scholarship are graciously being accepted. To make a tax-deductible donation

A signed donation letter with Tax Id will be mailed to you upon receipt of your donation.

About Marie-Kristin Friedow (born in Frankfurt Germany 27-Aug-1991, died on 25-Apr-2010)