Meet Marjan Wazeka, Former Librarian and Globetrotting Volunteer
Marjan Wazeka
Terwilliger Plaza Member, Former Librarian, United Nations and Peace Corps Volunteer
I am quite intrigued by your time living abroad. Can you talk more about this?
Well, I have been incredibly fortunate to have lived abroad and seen different aspects of the world. I was in the Peace Corp from 1963-1965, based in Hyderabad, Pakistan where I was a teacher in a women’s college. That was a life changing experience. I was in my 20’s right out of college and had just married my first husband. I wouldn’t trade my experience in Pakistan for anything in the world. I came away understanding real poverty. I grew up quite poor by American standards on a farm by Corvallis and yet, I also recognize that I am truly fortunate and privileged. I understand what it means to have the basics of water and electricity. You don’t forget, nor do I take anything for granted.
My second time abroad was from 1979 – 1986, when I was married to my second husband who was an English professor and I had just received my master’s in library science from the University of Washington. We became a United Nations family working for the Food and Agricultural Organization, which was part of the United Nations, and based in Rome. He was editing a journal and I was running the library of the American Overseas School of Rome. It was an amazing group of young people. Students from at least 40 countries, almost entirely diplomat’s children, from delegates to the United Nations, the Vatican, and the Italian government.
Tell me about your life as a librarian.
Throughout my career, I’ve been different kinds of librarian. It’s been wonderful. I was a law librarian at the University of Washington Law School and a school librarian in Rome. I was also a public librarian in Eugene, a director at the Cedar Mill Library and a director out in Florence Oregon. Being a public librarian was fascinating because of the variety of people – the questions and the demands.
How did you become interested in books?
I was raised by my mother and grandmother, who were both highly literate. We had books and books and books. When we weren’t working on the farm, we were reading and talking to one another. From an early age I learned about community, work, and literacy. My world was big, even though my immediate footprint at that time was small.
What brought you to Terwilliger Plaza?
I moved to Terwilliger about seven years ago. I came to Portland so that I could be car free and have access to the university, the Symphony and all the cultural offerings. I’m here so that my single daughter won’t have to worry about me. And she loves that. She is a doctor in New Jersey. She said, “Thank you mother. If something happens, I know that you will get immediate care.” It’s a gift to our children. I also was drawn to the fact that we have about eight former Peace Corps volunteers here at Terwilliger and a lot of people who have lived and worked abroad.
One of the other reasons I moved here is because I am an athlete. Even at 82 years old, I am very active. As my friend Bruce who lives here says, “you step outdoors, and you have 120 miles of trails.” Here we are right at Washington Park, Forest Park and all the Marquam Trails. We couldn’t have it much better. If you get bored with that, you can walk down to the river and walk the lovely 11-mile river route.
Can you describe a typical day at Terwilliger?
When my daughter calls at about 5am (8am EST), on her way to work, if it is summer, I am on the hill by about 6:30am walking up to the Chart House about 2.5 miles up Terwilliger Boulevard in that beautiful early morning light. When I return, I often work out with weights or do other exercises. Then I might go swimming or sometimes walk down to the river to the 2nd and Oak food cart pod to have lunch at my favorite vegan food cart. I probably put in seven or eight miles every day. On the weekends I go to the Farmer’s Market and bring back fresh produce for the week.
What is your interaction within the Terwilliger community?
I really like contributing to my community. Many people are very conscious of the fact that this is our home, and it is our responsibility to speak up and participate. Currently, I am on several committees including, social accountability, Friday night music, Saturday Forum and the Treasures resale shop. We also have a Spanish language lunch group here which has just recommenced. I used to speak Urdu – and could read and write Arabic, but that was fifty years ago. My Italian got pretty good as well. Now I am working on Spanish.
Can you tell me more about the social accountability committee?
The social accountability committee keeps us committed to the larger community. We contribute money, effort, and time to organizations like NW Pilot Project. We pack vegetables at Oregon Food Bank or supplies at School House Supply for teachers. For me, it’s the hands-on aspect that is very special. Helping other seniors and those in education. That involvement with the larger community is so important.
Have you given up any of your independence by living at Terwilliger?
Not at all. I feel so fortunate. I’m very much at home, as though I am amongst family.