Rachel “Rae” Marks, a popular and highly respected antiques dealer, died September 20 in her home here after a brief battle with cancer.

Her husband, Theodor “Ted” B. Marks, invited family and friends to a luncheon to celebrate her life at a local restaurant on September 30, where photos brought many memories to the forefront and people expressed their feelings of loss. A waitress, as she listened, burst into tears, saying that although she never met Rae, she must have been a wonderful person, reminding us to live every day to its fullest.

Rae was born in New York City to Rene and David Strichard. She was raised in Lincoln Park, Yonkers, N.Y., with her sister Norma, who predeceased her. Rae and her devoted husband Ted were married for 64 years.

She was an avid collector of small figural silver items with a keen eye for the unusual. She participated in shows in the Northeast until her son, Michael, and Ted grew tired of lifting cases. She never stopped collecting and was often first in line with her magnifying instrument around her neck. Ted drove her to shows, patiently waiting while she shopped for hours, remarking that he was happy to do so because, “this is what she liked.” Rae’s collection was featured in the reference book Silver Novelties in the Gilded Age, 1870‱910 by Deborah Crosby, published by Schiffer Books.

Rae loved to spend her time surrounded by her children, Barri, Michael and Jody, her sons-in-law Jack Pivar and Howard Kesten and her grandchildren Allyn, Jaime, Chelsea and Ricky. In the words of her daughter Barri, “My Mom was blessed with beauty and brains. Her sense of style and enthusiastic interest in antiques brought her years of enjoyment as a collector and dealer.” She will be greatly missed by family, friends and her many business acquaintances.

†Vivien Cord, Cord Shows Ltd, Armonk, N.Y.