Obituary of Marida McDonald Binsted

Marida Binsted was born Marida Bernice McDonald on June 17^th, 1929.  She was one half of a surprise set of twins to Myrtle and Gerald McDonald.  She and her twin, Marie, grew up in Arlington, Virginia where they were loved by a large family of older siblings who loved nothing more than to treat them to adventures and fun.  One of Marida’s fondest memories was from when she was a small child.   The memory of an older sister coming home from a date and waking her up to make egg sandwiches.  As an adult she would  remember wondering “don’t these boys ever feed her?” Marida had a great sense of humor and would laugh every time she recalled the story. 

Marida graduated from Washington-Lee High School in 1947 where she was a cheerleader and unknowingly watched her future husband sink baskets with a swish from half court.  George “Beak” Binsted was Washington-Lee’s star basketball player.  Marida finally met him when she was working for the draft board.  He came in to sign up for the Marine Corps and lost his heart to the pretty girl that was helping him join up.  Marida and George were married on June 16, 1949.

Marida honed the administrative skills that would serve her so well in the future as an administrative assistant for a private law firm at The Arlington County Courthouse.  This position also provided a perk or two.  While writing the only speeding ticket she would ever have gotten the policeman thought better of it when she told him she would pay it when she got to work…  at the courthouse. 

Marida was always sharp as a tack.  Her typing and shorthand skills made her a highly valued part of the Arlington County School system where she worked as an administrative assistant in the school guidance department for many years.  Lifelong friend and twin sister Marie worked in the Attendance office during this same time. 

After retiring from Arlington County Schools Marida launched an extremely successful cake business called “Cakes by Marida” where she loved meeting with clients to plan wedding cakes.  She mentored many aspiring bakers along the way and had a passion for helping them.  Her icing is famous!

Marida and George had three children, Sarita, Ronnie and Donna.  They loved their children through thick and thin and were always willing to help when the inevitable challenges of life set in. 

As Grandchildren came into their lives they were enthusiastic supporters of anything their grandchildren were interested in.  They attended any and all basketball, soccer, or any other event that involved their grandchildren.  And Marida made sure that she provided events of her own to enjoy with them. A very short list would include Annual gingerbread house-making parties for grandkids and friends of grandkids, Beach vacations at the Carousel in Ocean City, A shopping trip and lunch every year for their birthdays, and many, many hugs and kisses.  The grandkids can also look back on some of their own capers that Marida so enjoyed! Like Maureen,  Ellie and Casey Waking her up at midnight and asking her if they could get in the jacuzzi!  Her answer? “I don’t see why not?”  And so they did.  Complete with bubbles!  At midnight!  And Marida loved every minute of it. 

As much as Marida loved having fun with her grandkids, one can never forget her almost stubborn insistence to stand by them no matter what.  To let them know that even when they were wrong they were also loved.  By “Granny”.  And that when all of this was over for one of them who was going through a particularly rough time, that she would be looking forward to making a cheesecake with him.    That’s a bit of an “inside” thing but he knows who he is.

Marida loved to watch UVA men’s basketball.    Once while getting on her feet again after an illness she stayed for a short while at a rehab center.  There was a big UVA  game coming up and her daughter Donna had brought her all of the UVA fan merchandise to make it a great game for Marida to watch.  Little did she know that half the rehab center would end up in Marida’s room watching and cheering and waving UVA flags! 

Donna and Marida had a standing day, Wednesday, when Donna would do Marida’s weekly grocery shopping for her.  Donna would pick up Marida at home to take her to lunch at Bagel Café where she enjoyed her favorite grilled cheese.  After a full lunch Donna would do Marida’s shopping while Marida enjoyed her Baskin-Robbins.  Marida loved her two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone and would eat every bite even after that big bagel café lunch!

Marida made and had so many memories of a life well lived.  Of Holiday Parties at the old house in Arlington where the house filled with the smell of Wassail.  Memories of collie dogs Duchess and Sandy,  of her kids sledding down those snowy hills, Of working puzzles with her children and grandchildren, and of course finishing up those puzzles with the love of her life for sixty nine and a half years, George.  George, who’s picture she blew kisses to and told of how much she missed and loved him.  And that she would see him soon.  She told him on Monday she would see him soon.  And she kept her word.  On Tuesday they would be dancing to Benny Goodman’s Orchestra.  To their dance song,  In the Mood.    Finally together again.  Marida went home to The Lord to be reunited with George on July 18^th, 2023.  She was lovingly cared for by the gentle hands of Jamie Jeng and Kadijah Kamara for the last six months of her life on this earth.  Marida’s family is incredibly grateful to them both.  Their loving kindness is of a rare kind.

Marida is survived by her children; Sarita Binsted, Ronnie Binsted, and Donna Lovett (Bruce); her grandchildren Maureen Brondyke (Calvin) Ellie Wilson (Bryan), Brian Binsted and  Casey Lovett; And great grandchildren Henry Pierce, Nelson Brondyke and Maeve Wilson.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Adams-Green Funeral Home; 721 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Marida Binsted to New City Arts Initiative, PO Box 1293, Charlottesville, VA  22902 or online at www.newcity arts.org