Everyone should have a special birthday, a day that celebrates a precious life. But who gets a day that is officially proclaimed in their honor? My husband, Marshall Brodien does.
Mayor Kevin Burns of Geneva Illinois proclaimed July 10, 2018, Marshall’s 84th birthday, Marshall Brodien Day in the city of Geneva. The announcement was made last night at a meeting at City Hall. The mayor spoke about Marshall and showed a brief video of Marshall performing magic in his early days. He then invited me, Marshall Jr., longtime friend, comic magician Ken Mate, and friend Tom Holbrook dressed as Wizzo the Wacky Wizard to speak.
The proclamation came about after Tom Holbrook recently called the mayor to inquire on the possibility of such an honor. Holbrook noted that Marshall is a Chicago icon for his production of magic sets and cards, character named Wizzo that he played on Chicago’s Bozo’s Circus for 26 years, as well as magician and mentor to magicians across the country.
The document states that on behalf of the more than 22,000 people that proudly call Geneva home, they honor Marshall’s career, magical talents, and the family’s mission for Alzheimer’s Awareness.
(For more information on Alzheimer’s disease, see my Facebook page Navigating Alzheimer’s and my book, Navigating Alzheimer’s. 12 Truths about Caring for Your Loved One, available from Amazon.com, ACTA Publications, and my website. If you’ve read this book, please, please write a review.)
Midwest Mary 
Such a beautiful and well earned honor! God bless Marshall and family!
Thank you, Kathy. Hope all is well with you.
Very sweet. So nice to see he’s been honored.
Thank you, Sue
Thank you, Sue.
Wow!!! Oh Mary, how absolutely wonderful!! This is a real sweet testament to how much Marshall is a beloved legend of Chicago! Congratulations to Marshall, you, and the family on this beautiful declaration!
Thank you, Toni. Love to you.
That’s amazing and so well deserved! I was in Grahams the other day and was thinking of him and the fun we had there. God bless you Mary for taking such good care of him.
Thank you, Marla. I’m sure your visits to Graham’s continue to spark memories of your “exercise” with Marshall. You were a wonderful caregiver to him.
What an honor and so well deserved!
I remember seeing him on tv years ago.
Carol
Thank you, Carol. I hope all is well with you.
The City of Geneva, chose an awesome man to honor. Yet another cool thing about living in Geneva. Happy Marshall Brodien day!
Thank you, Al!
[…] “Everyone should have a special birthday, a day that celebrates a precious life. But who gets a day that is officially proclaimed in their honor? My husband, Marshall Brodien, does,” Doyle wrote in her blog. […]
Mary,
This is just wonderful…maybe we should think in terms of a national holiday next year!
Sue H.
Ha, Ha, Ha. Thank you, Sue!
No one deserves a special day in their honor more than Marshall! Love and miss you both.
No one deserves a special day in their honor more than Marshall! We love and miss you both.
Thank you, Chuck. All the best to you, Amanda, and family.
That’s interesting
So glad this was made to happen. What a great influence he had on all us budding magicians back then. As someone whose mother had Alzheimer’s, I wish him and his family all the best.
Thank you so much for your kind words about Marshall and your thoughtfulness. I’m sorry your mother had Alzheimer’s, Dirk. I know the pain you went through witnessing her decline. Blessings to you and your family.