Marc Austin Broderick

Marc Broderick Obituary "Dress your best in case you run into your grandmother." This was Marc's guarded secret to fashion. Also, "Socks complete the outfit." Marc passed away bravely on June 19th, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. His spirit was released from a worn-out body to explore the universe with his mother.

Marc was born on January 16th, 1969, in Puyallup, Washington. His doctor said, "Wow, that is a hairy baby." The family likes to joke that they were trailer trash but had a nice time in Sumner's Rhododendron Trailer Park. His mother was a gifted musician. At four, she could play a song on the piano after only hearing it. She brought the soul of music into Marc's life. When he was five, the family moved to a house a few blocks from the start of the Daffodil Parade route. The only downfall is they had to shovel coal for heat. Marc and his sister Shelley would sing and dance for hours in the basement rec room. Games were plenty. They even made their own; Don't step off the pavers; the alligators will get you. His Dad was a steady provider who kept the yard beautiful. His mom brought structure to the kids' lives in a fun, happy and creative way. She was Marc's comfort zone. His everything. There was a field of daffodils not far from their house. Springtime brought Marc's favorite flower.

Sometimes, marriages don't last. At seven, his parents split up, but they found loving partners. Every other weekend was spent at his dad and Shirley's place in Tukwila, where he had two new sisters, Kimmi and Bobbi. His dad built the kids a tree house in the woods behind the house. Bobbi and Marc being close in age hit it off. They would go roller skating and play in the woods. Marc found sports early, starting with gymnastics. Back in Sumner, he had a new stepdad and soon a baby brother, Adam.

At the tender age of nine and a half, he sadly lost his wonderful mother to cancer. Shelley and Marc moved to Tukwila full-time. The blow was crushing, but they prevailed over time. The family loved camping and trips to the beach. They waterskied on Lake Washington, stopping at Vince's Pizza on the way home. There were treasured boat trips in the San Juans, touring the islands for days. Marc spent many summers in Yakima with his Mom's side of the family. A favorite memory was a Christmas in Seaside, Oregon. Hide and seek was popular with the neighbor kids. Their house was home plate. Bobbi and Marc would listen to the Grease soundtrack and sing and act out the songs. Swimming at the Liums was another fun pastime. Marc started ski school young. When the bus returned, his dad would pick him up and drive straight to basketball practice. He enjoyed ping pong to the point of obsession. There came a time when his dad had to switch to his strong hand. Then Marc eventually started beating the old man. Tennis was his game. He would practice for hours, hitting against a wall. Marc also excelled at soccer. With three sisters in the house, he never had a warm shower in the morning. Sometimes he drove home before sports to see what one was like. Not only did Marc do his laundry, but he also folded any clothes left in the dryer. What kid does that? Fashion was his passion. He spent long hours at Southcenter Mall, but he never shoplifted. Marc inherited musical talent from his mother in the form of singing. At his elementary school Christmas pageants, he would solo White Christmas. In Junior High and High School, he sang with the choir. To get to school, Marc had to walk uphill both ways. It was a brutal hike. The kids in the Highline School District adored him. He was their very own Michael Anthony Hall. His class loved him so much that they voted Marc Prom King, but true to his nature, he was embarrassed by the honor. It wasn't just his personality that shined. When the light hit Marc's eyes, they became a stunning blue that drew you in, but not as much as his infectious smile. Marc went on to higher learning at Highline Community College, then to the University of Washington, studying English Literature. He adored the classics, his favorite novel being David Copperfield by Dickens. Now that he was an adult, he got to go on a fun guy's fishing trip with his father to Ross Lake, and another to Vegas.

"What is my secret to connecting with children?" he once asked his partner. Treat them like adults? his partner responded. "Dear god, no. It's people. Treat them like people." Marc was fantastic with kids. As a teen, when the parents on his block socialized, they would hand their children off to him to babysit. The kids loved him and the games he played. After graduation, Marc worked at a daycare. Then he moved to San Diego for six months to help with Bobbi's toddler while she went to school. After breakfast, he would ask Alex, "What do we do? Put it on your head?" His niece would laugh and dump her bowl on her head. Off to the bath they went. Next, he moved in with his sister Shelley and her boyfriend. Many parents will understand how frustrating mornings can be with children. Marc brought peace to the routine by offering to get the kids ready. He took the role of uncle seriously and attended their sporting events.

There were many places Marc called home, but a few were his favorites. He absolutely loved the Allentown home he shared with Brian and Deidra. There was a place for everything, and everything was in its place. Who wouldn't love a house with a park-like atmosphere and a fruit orchard in the backyard? Another great place was his bottom floor unit in a home on Angle Lake. In typical Marc fashion, the living room housed a ping-pong table. Marc adored the Burien house he had with his dog Sammy. How he became Sammy's sponsor is an example of Marc's goodness. His best friend's mom was dying of cancer. Sandra and Marc were friends. He often attended her dinner parties. Having only wanted Marc's help, he moved in and cared for her to the end. Her friend was supposed to take the dog, but she bailed as soon as Sandra passed. He considered it more of a blessing than a betrayal.

Marc never found his profession. He didn't chase dreams or dollars. The man was content with the life he made. He worked in accounts receivable for ten years. Then at the Ferry Terminal, but the public wore him down before it became a career. Friends wanted him to become the host of a children's TV show, but sadly we were deprived of that joy.

He squeezed much celebrating into his short life. The Hi-Tide penthouse at Moclips was his favorite place to let loose. Many friends shared the experience of Moclips with him. The Marc, Mark, Tami, Tami friendship that started in '85 was the best he had, but I may be clouded by bias. Rachel and Dean, you are his longest friendships and are embedded deep in his heart. Matt, you were his best friend. Hopefully, you find each other to play tennis again. There were so many friends in school. He ran in every circle. Ric, Dale, Phil and so many more. Debbie and Melanie, your friendship in high school was one of legends and laughter. Mike, you met through soccer and remained lifetime friends. Loreane, for someone who didn't grow up with Marc, you got him the most. Teng, his favorite time with you was the adventure on your hike. Bob and Meka, Marc loved you both so much. Brian and Deidra, you were a family for a while, and that spirit remained. Danielle and Denise, your friendship started through work but grew well beyond. Anne, you were a kind and supportive friend to Marc. Your shared experience helped get him through the hard times of cancer. Sofia, you arrived as an exchange student and quickly became a fashionable friend. Camille and Vicki, your friendship was newer but just as solid. Marc adored how fun and easygoing you both are. He loved you too, friend who was unintentionally left out. Some of his classmates were probably wondering what happened to him. The thing about Marc is he was deeply private, to the point that he never owned a cell phone. But he was extremely loyal to the friends in his circle. If you were close to him, it was an honor, and you knew it. He kept up with everyone through visits, landline calls, and letters to let you know how special you were. A select few received a song on their birthday. Marc made you feel like the most important person in the room. Many people believe they were his closest friend or favorite relative. They are correct. The only things he disliked were snakes, drama, politics, cheesecake, and the tennis player, Novak Djokovic. Marc was one of the most genuinely nice people to grace this planet. If you knew him, your life is better for it.

Marc hit a rough patch at the end of 2013. Midway through the following year, his friend Mark brought him home for a fresh start. They soon relocated to Switzerland for six weeks, living with Mark's friends, the Sutherlands. Marc volunteered to be their manny. He watched their two children and even washed the dishes. The Sutherlands missed Marc and his help every time he traveled. Marc and Mark toured Switzerland and the four surrounding countries. A trip to Venice was their favorite. Through the magic of Europe, they finally became a couple. It only took thirty years. Life for Marc was healthy and fun again. To ensure the vibe stuck, the Marcks relocated to Alki, Washington, to an apartment across from the beach. Mark's family, the Taylors, quickly grew to adore Marc. As a part of the family, he was included in family vacations. A catamaran trip in the British Virgin Islands was the most memorable. Holidays became even warmer with Marc in the house. The couple enjoyed partying, movies, murder mysteries, playing the card game 31 and 10,000 at dice, lazy boating on Lake Washington, and beach days with friends and family. Marc was a child at heart. He would randomly hide without warning, leaving Mark scrambling to find him. In the springtime, Mark made sure there was always a bouquet of daffodils on the table.

His intelligence fed his wit. Marc often left his friend's and family's cheeks sore from laughter. His partner once told him to talk to the hand. Marc responded lightning-fast, "Mr. Hand, why do you have so many age spots?" Another time a group of his friends were talking about teachers they had crushes on. They asked Marc, who was your crush? He responded dryly, "I always fancied the teachers had a crush on me."

In the Fall of 2020 cancer reared its ugly head. Marc went into the situation with strength, courage, and humor. He showed up to his first chemo session in a Mr. Yuck shirt. The doctors and nurses adored Marc's positive attitude. The tumor was removed, but I wouldn't say he beat cancer; we'll call it a draw. When he regained his health, the Marcks flew to Hawaii to celebrate, a destination Marc had dreamed about for years. Each day post-surgery was a gift, but the cruelty of cancer was relentless. This spring, it returned with a vengeance giving him two new tumors. We'll never know why this would happen to such a nice guy. A month later, a life-threatening side effect sent Marc into home hospice with Mark as his caregiver. Marc apologizes for not letting Mark tell more people that the situation was this dire. He didn't have the strength for additional visits. Rest assured, you were in his thoughts.

Losing someone this good is horrific, brutal, and unfair. But we are all the better for knowing this beautiful man. Marc is survived by his loyal partner Mark and their devoted yet feisty cat, Nola: his father, Rick, and stepmother, Shirley; his sister Shelley, and her daughter Toni, with daughter Audrienna; Shelley's son Brett, fiance Lisa, and his son Adrian; his brother Adam, wife Melissa, their kids Taylor and Sarah; step-sister Bobbi, boyfriend Evan, her daughters Alex and Ricci; step-sister Kimmi, husband Jim, her son Cody, with son Karven; his wonderful Aunts and Uncles; many loving cousins, yes I hear you Matt; his adoring new family, the Taylors, Bruce, Nancy, Brad, and Cindy; friends, Tami, Loreane, Rachel, Camille, Vicki, Bob and Meka, Brian and Deidra, Mike, Dean, Danielle, Denise, Niccole, Teng, Debbie, Melanie, Ric, Phil, Garrett and Rhonda, Anne, Sofia, and far too many more to mention. Marc has now reunited with his mother, Darlene, friends Tami, Matt, Dale, and Tom, Grandpa Max, and Grandma Martha, whom Marc would tell you considered him her favorite grandchild.

A celebration of life will be held in the banquet hall at Foster Golf Links in Tukwila, WA. The date and time will be announced later. For those out of town, you'll be given plenty of notice. Prepare your stories. If you drink, his favorite cocktail is clear Bacardi and Coca-Cola, lots of rum, lots of ice, no lime. Put on George Michael's Freedom! '90 and say a toast to Marc.

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Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle