We'll miss you, Marija

There's been an accident, dear friends, and we've lost sweet Marija Stephens of Holding Court.

Beautiful, witty, with a heart of gold, Marija was an Angel on Earth—not only to her husband Cory and to her young children Olivija and Nigel, but also to every one of us whom she touched, day after day, with her warm, honest musings on Life, motherhood and design.

We had the great fortune of knowing both Marija and Cory personally, and for that, we are so blessed. Our time just weeks ago sparked a friendship every one of us knew would have lasted our entire lives. 

From that magical afternoon in Wayne spent laughing, eating and toasting one another to shopping the flea market together for treasures, our memories of Marija—her adventurous spirit, her sweet smile, her sharp wit and of course, her wonderfully contagious laugh—shall live on in our hearts forever. 

She was an Angel and always will be. We love you, Marija, and we’ll miss you terribly. 

To read Cory's own beautiful tribute to his wife, click here.  

Comments

[Merri]

My heart breaks for her family. To endear such pain and heart ache i can only imagine. But I cant imagine not having my best friend my love my husband to help me get through it. My prayers will be with Cory tonight

[Jenny]

So sorry about your lost! She was an amazing woman. The tribute written about her by her husband was beautifully written.

[Luxurious Life]

I am new to the blogging world, just started a blog a few months ago. I just heard of Marija through a tribute on another blog; I then looked at her blog and read the tributes to her on many blogs. I wish I would've found her blog earlier, through her posts and tributes I can see why she will be missed by many!! She seemed like a wonderful person and designer!!

[My Notting Hill]

This is such a beautiful post about Marija. The picture of all of you in Deb's garden captures such a happy time. It is so sad to realize there won't be future times with Marija.

[Evelyn Weiss]

A beautiful tribute. My sincerest condolences to family and friends on this sorrowful loss.

xoxo
Evy

[Elizabeth Carter]

Eddie & Jaithan~
What a shock to learn of the accident that took the life of lovely Marija... she had the hearts of so many. Your post was truly inspiring and reminds us all, life is precious..make every day count!
Elizabeth

[Trina]

Very sad and tragic news. My heart goes out to her adoring husband and two sweet children.
xoTrina

[Jodie]

Eddie and Jaithan - - so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend, Marija. My thoughts are with you and her family.
Jodie (Woodstock)

[thezhush]

Marija has touched so many of our lives in her warm and outgoing ways. Prayers and thoughts are with Cory and his children. So heart broken over all of this.
Sue De Chiara

[Karena]

Marija was a very special lady, and we question so much when these things happen. Eddie and Jaithan thank you for sharing the image of your time with her family.

Karena
Art by Karena

[Mona Thompson]

My condolences to you both , her family and friends. I am such a new blogger, that I didn't even know her, yet this just really saddens me. LIfe is so fragile. This is just heartbreaking.

[Laura Casey Interiors]

Eddie & Jaithan- I am so sorry for your loss of friendship. Marija seems like just the kind of woman I would have loved to be friends with. My deepest condolences are with you all and her family. Life is so precious and fleeting.

[Rachel]

I am praying peace and comfort for all. This is a terrible tradgedy. Isn't it amazing how valuable each person is and how we don't even realize how many lives we touch.

[Missy Bruns]

Eddie,
I am a fan of yours and was not personally familiar with Marjia Stephens blog. As I was reading the post I was recognized Cory Stephens from college. He was one of my good friends and lived across the street. I am so saddened to hear the news of his wife passing. Just from reading about her, I know she must have been a very special and talented person. Thank you for sharing this with your readers. It shows how truly connected we all are. Missy Wilson Bruns

[mariska meijers]

Dear Eddy beautiful words for a passionate lady. I didn't know Marija personally but I was a follower of her blog. I posted a memoriam on my blog today out of respect. Life is oh so fragile.
mx

[Fallon]

Such a devastating and tragic loss.. my heart breaks for her family and friends. a very touching tribute.

[Privet and Holly]

What eloquent and heartfelt
words at such a sad, sad time.
Kathysue e-mailed me about this
tragedy, yesterday, as I loved
Marija's blog. What an amazing
woman and our sadness is only a
smidgen of what her dear family
must be experiencing. Hugs to
you and Jaithan. xx Suzanne
PS: I subscribe through e-mail
but this post never came through.
I just wandered over, on my own.
Hmmm...

[Ann Chamberlain]

Words seem so useless at a time like this. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

[Shevon]

What a shock. I did not know Marija, but I remember seeing her at the event in Wayne, IL. I noticed her because she just looked so pulled together. My heart goes out to her family, especially her young children.

[Tina Steele Lindsey]

Dear Eddie,
I am so sorry. I learned of this just today and I have been so grieviously saddened.
Though I did't know Marija personally, she on occasion wrote beautiful words to me which I treasured upon reading them, and treasure even more so now.
I am so proud you had the added blessing of knowing and loving her personally.
My thoughts are with you.

[pretty pink tulips]

Dear Eddie & Jaithan,
WHat a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman - who touched more lives than I'm sure she realized. May Cory and her sweet children know that Marija was treasured by those that knew her through her words, her musings and her example. I know I am better for having been lightly touched by such a magnificent woman.

I'm sure her spirit will continue to be felt forever.
With love to you at this difficult time,
Elizabeth

[Mama Henley]

How very tragic. We are praying for her family!

[Design Esquire]

Eddie and Jaithan, your post is so beautiful and heartfelt. I agree with you that it's time that we follow Marija's example and take a leap of faith and do what we love to do. Life is too precious to waste it. I'll keep you two in my thoughts and prayers too.

[Susie @ Maddie's Nest]

A wonderful tribute from a new friend. I have felt sick since I read her husband's tribute....what a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected. I really have no words...

[Jojo]

My deepest sympathies. I'm so sorry that I missed you at Scotts. Wish I had been there as support as it must have been difficult.

What a loss for many.

[pve]

E & J,
How beautiful that you were able to meet, to become friends and more importantly remember her for her laugh and for her witty style while holding court, raising a family, designing a life. My sincere sympathies to her family and all the friends who feel her loss.
May comfort surround each pain.
pve

[Charlotta]

Thanks for this post Eddie. It is easier to grieve when holding hands.
I loved Marija too - she was my friend. Unlike you I never had the chance to meet her in real life, but we emailed each other from one corner of the world to the other and grew close.
The devastating loss of a dear friend, Cory's wife, Nigel & Olivija's mother, Mary's daughter is hard to grasp. I feel hollow and can't stop crying.
She will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

x Charlotta

[Splendid Willow]

I am stunned and so saddened by the tragic news. What a beautiful and elegant woman and what a wonderful mother and wife. And what a fantastic friend to so many in the blog community. My heart aches.

Thank you for the tribute Eddie & Jaitan. She was very fond of both of you.

Monika

[Cathy S]

Marija was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. My prayers are for Marija, her family, and her friends. Eddie and Jaithan your tribute is wonderful. My condolences on the loss of your dear friend.
xoxo

[Crystal DiDomenico]

Eddie & Jaithan - I am stunned to hear of this horrible tragedy! I met Marija at the WOW event in Wayne - gave her the "chic award" for the evening, then saw her (equally as elegant) at the SG Grand party the next night. She was a beautiful woman and I felt like we could be instant friends. She will be so dearly missed. Warmest sympathies to her family and everyone that knew her. Thank you for your lovely tribute!

[Low Tide High Style]

Thank you so much for letting us know this very sad news. My heart goes out to her entire family.

Kat

[cristin @ simplified bee]

Eddie, this is a very sweet tribute to Marija. I am shocked and saddened by her death. My prayers are with Cory and the kids.

[Delores]

So so so sad! There are no words....

[Lauri Stocker]

I can not wrap my mind around the fact that someone so beautiful and young, so tangible... is no longer here. What a tragic loss to such a beautiful family. I hope the pain she suffered was brief and she lives eternally in the hearts and minds of so many.

[Jennifer]

I have thought of you two often since we spoke yesterday. I know going through Scott's was so difficult for you. I hope you will find comfort and peace. I left a message for her family as well.

Sending hugs & love your way,

Jen

[Lisa]

My stomach feels sick. My heart feels heavy. How very, very sad. What a beautiful tribute from you and Jaithan.

[Tami]

Oh my gosh,sorry for your lost, she was beautiful. May she rest in peace.

[Therese Long]

I've been heartbroken all day...

[Renae]

What a sweet tribute for Marija. She will be missed and prayers for her family...so sad.
xx

[Kristin]

Such a tragic loss. I truly hope her loved ones are able to find peace. Prayers going up!

[aneyefordetail]

Thanks Eddie for such a nice post and wonderful words. I never met Marija but her blog was so beautifully written and thoughtful and so full of life and love... it's going to take a while for all of us to realize just what has happened.
Libby

[Kathysue]

E&J, what an absolutely beautiful tribute to Marija. I know your hearts are heavy today and this had to be hard to write. You did such a wonderful tribute to her. Your words are sweet and honest and heartfelt,just like the two of you. Love you,Kathysue

[pigtown*design]

What a huge tragedy for her family and friends, like you, Jaithan and Michele. xox to you all.

[Erika Ward]

My heart is heavy, but my heart is hopeful. God bless her family, friends, and loved ones. This was the sweet post Eddie + Jaithan...Thank you for sharing.

[Patti Davis]

I know how heavy your hearts are right now. I am so so sorry. Love you,P

[Kate]

Eddie and Jaithan --

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Life is so fragile and such an unexpected loss is so wrenching. My heart aches for her husband and children. Truly aches. When you read his tribute to her, you realize that this man has lost his partner and soul mate. So tragic.
- kate

[suzanne@cestsuzanne]

My sympathies to her family. I read what her husband Cory wrote on Holding Court. Such a terrible loss for them. So very, very sad.

[ElleX]

My condolences to Marija's family and friends.

[Kim Stracuzzi]

Eddie, Marija sounds like such a wonderful friend, wife and mother. I'm so sorry for your loss and I also left a message for her husband and children as well. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Hugz,
Kim

[Chic Gal]

Oh Eddie I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful woman with a beautiful family. My heart breaks reading this. I went to her website and read the tribute Cory wrote for her. Having lost my husband at 35, the pain is so great. I pray they have friends and family to surround them now and forever.