MARKS
HELENE (Polish) Marks, of Blue Bell, age 56, Executive Director of The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation, died of respiratory failure on Monday, May 22, 2006. Mrs. Marks is credited with having moved The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation during her tenure into the national spotlight, with the expansion to all 50 states of the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation National Child Care Teacher Awards sponsored by the Makers of Tylenol®. Kay Lokoff, founder and chairman of The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation, said, "Helene Marks was the heart and soul of the organization. She believed with great passion in our mission of working for quality early care and education for every single child. "Not only was she a tireless worker and advocate for child care, she was a dear friend and the most honest and caring person I have ever known." Mrs. Marks established relationships for the Foundation with national corporations, including, among others, IKEA, SC Johnson, McNeil Pharmaceuticals and Specialty Company, Teleflex, Merck, 6abc, Bulgari Parfums, Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry, and Cartier. In 1988 she became a volunteer for The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation. In 1990 she was elected to two consecutive terms as president of the Foundation. In 1994 she was named director of the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation. Prior to her involvement with the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation, she worked at the School District of Philadelphia with the department of Pupil Personnel & Counseling. She also worked with the Juvenile Court in Philadelphia and the Truancy Officers. Mrs. Marks was a board member of the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children, a member of the Advisory Board of Philadelphia Coalition for Kids, a board member of Child Care Resource Developers and Health & Safety Committee of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and served on the Advisory Board of Community College of Philadelphia Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Marks was active at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School when her daughter was a student there, and she created the annual Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation-Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Community Service Award for seniors who had served as interns at the Foundation. While Mrs. Marks was executive director, the Foundation received a number of honors, including one from the Please Touch Museum and Montgomery County MARC. In addition, the Foundation was commended by Senator Arlen Specter, Governor Ed Rendell, and Senator Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Marks and her family were members of Tiferet Beth Israel Synagogue in Blue Bell. She is survived by her husband Richard Marks, her daughter Jaime Marks, her brother Marc (Barbara) Polish, her aunt and uncle Sylvian and Fred Dubin, nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful friends. Services will be held on Thursday, May 25, at 11:00 A.M. at GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S RAPHAEL SACKS, 6410 N. Broad St. Family and friends will be returning to the home of Evelyn and Hoagy Bock where Shivah will be observed, at 4 Lombardi Circle, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, TEL 610-825-3641. Services will be held at the Bock home at sundown that evening. Friends may call on the family to pay respects on Wednesday evening from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at the Bock home. Donations may be sent to the Helene Marks Fund at The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation, 320 South Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406.
