Marion A. Florsheim  "Energy"

Born : 5th March 1928 Germany

Died : 7th February 1998, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Married : Harry " Mickey " Florsheim  ( d. 4th April 1971 )

Marion's Father : Julius Florsheim ( b. 6 Jan. 1888 - d. 14 Sept 1969 CA. )

Marion's Mother : Ella ( Ellen ) Marx ( b. 22 May 1896 Germany - d. 20 Aug. 1984 CA. )

Marion was their only child.

The family name was also spelt : Floershein(m)

Nationality : American

In New York she lived at Jackson Heights.

She was initiated as a Sufi in Sufism Reoriented by Murshida Duce in early 1975 and lived in Walnut Creek.

Webmaster : There are several Marion Florsheim's from the same time period and place. One trained as a pilot during WW2, another was an Afghan dog breeder and exhibitor in New York City. These two could be the same person at different times.

All the genealogy web sites don't have Marion as being married, even though she was.

Although the ladies mentioned above look similar to her, I am not too sure if they are the same person.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBxqT6gNRhw&feature=youtu.be

https://vintageaviation.wordpress.com/2018/05/06/marion-florsheim-no-relation-to-me/

Marion was one of the people who organized Meher Baba's visit to the USA in 1956.

From the reception given at the Longchamps Restaurant in New York City, then to the Meher Center at Myrtle Beach, SC and to Los Angeles, Meher Mount & San Fransisco, California.

Marion attended with husband Harry the Sahavas at the Meher Center in Myrtle Beach, SC., in 1958 when Meher Baba visited for a short time.

Marion attended the 1962 East-West Gathering for Meher Baba at Guruprasad, Poona, India.

Marion Florsheim was another of those who met Baba during this visit to America. Since she would always say, "I wish you would use my energy, Baba," he nicknamed her "Energy."

Lord Meher Volume 11, Page 3869

1952 :

After the car accident in Oklahoma, It was Ivy Duce's daughter Charmian and Energy (Marion Florsheim) who drove Baba, Mehera, and the others to all their many medical appointments, with Dr. this and Dr. that. As Ivy says, Baba must have given Western medicos a big push in 1952.

On another occassion Charmian recalls ; While we were in New York I got to drive Baba to some of the doctors’ appointments and other appointments. Marion Florsheim, “Energy” as Baba called her, did the other half of the driving. We had a continuous route that went back and forth from Scarsdale to New York, to various doctors, and to the apartment that we lived in, where Baba later held His Sahavas.

1956

Baba was driven to the Hotel Delmonico at 59th Street and Park Avenue, followed by his lovers, and was immediately taken up to his room on the eighth floor. Marion Florsheim, however, had gone off with the keys to Baba's suite, and since she was the chairman of the reception committee, Baba did not enter until she returned. A few minutes later, he called his devotees upstairs for a quick interview. During this trip, unlike his previous visit in 1952, Baba was not averse to publicity, and Ivy Duce and Bernard Carvalho had arranged television and press interviews at every stop. Baba now immersed himself in discussing these interviews with them. He discussed the arrangements of his tour with Marion Florsheim, who on behalf of the committee had collected funds for his airfare around the world from lovers in America. Baba also met privately with several old disciples. Baba and the mandali had spent a sleepless night on the plane from London, but when Ivy Duce suggested that he rest, he quipped, "I have not rested since I left Satara, and I will not rest until I drop my body."

LONGCHAMPS RESTAURANT, 22ND JULY 1956, NEW YORK CITY

FOR WEEKS, Marion Florsheim and her committee had been planning a dinner for Baba in the Palm Room of Longchamps Restaurant in Manhattan House at 65th and 3rd Avenue. For many people, this reception was the highlight of Baba's visit to New York on 22nd July 1956.

Lord Meher Volume 14, Page 4977

1956

When Baba was seated again, Marion Florsheim took the microphone and formally welcomed him and the mandali, and read a few of the telegrams received from other groups scattered all over the world. The Hollywood group cabled: "... We happily and gratefully join in spirit with you, with all those present in the one Oneness. We feel it very fortunate our having Baba visit these shores once more."

Lord Meher Volume 14, Page 4979

Marion Florsheim then asked for a moment of silence, after which a four-tier, white decorated birthday cake was wheeled in. Two children, a seven-year-old boy named Larry Karrasch and a twelve-year-old girl named Bobbi Ferenz, garlanded Baba and did it again for the various television and movie cameras recording the event. Baba cut the cake as the room burst into "Happy Birthday!' to Baba, since they had never had the opportunity of being with Baba on his birthday.

Lord Meher Volume 14, Page 4983

THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE OF IMAGES IS FROM THE FILM "GOD SPEAKS"

Baba's fingers again tapped rapidly as the bus was stalled in Times Square traffic, from where they motored back to the Delmonico.

At 7 P.M. the same evening, Baba called a brief meeting of the Meher Baba Hospitality Committee in his room. Marion Florsheim read the financial report and asked Baba what he wished done with the small balance.

Baba replied, "During my seclusion I do not accept or give money."

Marion asked, "What about the welfare of the women mandali if you drop your body?"

To Marion Florsheim, Baba concluded, "When we reach San Francisco, I will instruct you about the balance in the fund."

1956

Baba showed the Barn to Marion Florsheim and others who had not been to the Center before, and then he sat down in the same high-backed chair he used during his previous visit. Baba said, "All should return here to the Barn and keep silence with me on the evening of Saturday, July 28th, at 7 P.M. Be sure to be present."

Baba spoke with Ivy, Elizabeth and Marion Florsheim (nicknamed "Energy"). Marion asked about having two dormitories constructed on the Center.

Baba said, "No one except Elizabeth can add to the Meher Center." The question of raising funds was discussed, and Baba stated, "I do not want money now. After the 15th of February, I will need money for a huge congregation of men and women. Don't ask for any contributions now."

Elizabeth and Marion left, and Don Stevens was called. Differences between him and Ivy Duce were laid before Baba, who decided how to settle them. At one point, Baba decided about the future of God Speaks: "All the returns (profits from Sufism Reoriented activities) are to be utilized to spread God Speaks in every nook and corner of the world. I am not worried about publicity."

During her interview with Baba the day before, Marion Florsheim had made a suggestion to Baba about the Center, and Baba now asked her to repeat it before all. Marion rose and said: "Seeing how beautiful everything is here, and knowing how everyone felt within his or her heart in being able to share it, I asked if it pleased Elizabeth and fitted into the plan that from our love, a dormitory for men and one for women could be built."

Eruch asked, "And what did Baba reply?"

"Baba said that Elizabeth had created the entire place, and that he loved it beyond all other places in the world; that her hands had done it all, and that he wished it to remain that way."

In response, Baba stated, "All that you find here is Elizabeth's labor of love. Through her love for me, she has done everything to make me feel comfortable at the Center here. If there is an addition from the outside, it will look ..."

Eruch could not find the right English word to translate Baba's meaning; several voices from the audience suggested it was an "anomaly" – or "unsuitable."

Marion continued: "Baba gave another message also. He said that when he leaves the West, he goes back to India into seclusion for five months, until February 15th, 1957, and he will not accept any money at this time and will take no funds with him to India. Whatever balance might remain, if any, in the Meher Baba Hospitality Fund treasury that the New York group has gathered (which covered the around-the-world air fares and New York expenses of Baba and the four mandali), whatever may remain, if any, at the end of our trip, Baba will give us instructions about it in San Francisco.

Baba stopped for a while and then turned to Ben Hayman, "Ben, what's on your mind?"

Dr. Hayman stood up and spoke: "Baba, even if I were a great orator, I doubt if I could find words to express our great privilege in being with you. Our hearts are open books. You know the tremendous work done by Elizabeth Patterson, Ivy Duce, Marion Florsheim to make this visit as comfortable as possible in delightful surroundings. I have had the barest glimpse of the vast, detailed work behind the scenes. It seems the least we can do is to express our appreciation by a rising vote of thanks."

Thereupon, the whole group rose and clapped their hands. Baba added: "Elizabeth, Kitty, Ivy, Marion, Norina – these are my five fingers."

Baba continued: "Each must pay his or her travelling expenses. Those who can afford to may contribute their amounts after February 15th for the meeting. Contributions will also be invited from the Indian groups. Arrangements for a month's stay will cost a good deal."

Ben Hayman questioned, "Will the meeting be exclusively for men?" Cries of protest rose from the female contingent.

Baba replied, "The Indian women are annoyed with me because it was not possible for them to have my sahavas (as promised). This meeting will be for men and women. It will be unprecedented in the history of my activities. I will also invite saints, my seven favorites."

"It will be 90% women and 10% men," Baba teased.

Marion Florsheim asked, "About how much should we try to raise, Baba?"

"Twenty million dollars!" he joked. "And you and Ivy will have to collect it!"

Lord Meher Volume 14, Page 5075

At 2:30 P.M., there was a meeting of the Meher Baba Hospitality Committee. Marion Florsheim read a report of the finances and final balance. Baba commented, "All trust you, and I trust you, so everything is all right." Ivy Duce thanked Marion on behalf of all, then Elizabeth Patterson rose to express the group's gratitude to Baba for coming.

Baba replied: "When I see your ocean of love and feeling for me, the limitless Ocean of Love is stirred by the love of his lovers. Your love creates waves in that Ocean. You do not know how many.

Everything these past days has gone according to my Divine Plan. With the love you have given me, I feel immensely happy."

The following sequence of images is from the video "Meher Baba, The Awakener"

MEHER MOUNT, OJAI, CA. in 1956.

Marion Florsheim ( green dress )with Agnes Baron ( red dress ) in the foreground on Meher Mount. Images captured from the film by Anthony Zois

Baba called for a full explanation of the Hospitality Committee accounts from Marion Florsheim, then untangled another quarrel over a movie camera, calling on the persons involved to speak up. At one point, he said, "No one wants to pay attention to my wish or will! Let your wish and will be done."

The rest of the people sat silent, each feeling his or her sanskaras too were under attack, even if indirectly.

Baba asked about their health and then mentioned that Marion Florsheim and Mrs. Bahjejian had their passports and money stolen from their hotel rooms. He asked, "Isn't it surprising Energy has lost something?"

She replied, "If I lost everything, I could stay here!"

When Baba heard that Marion Florsheim and Mrs. Bahjejian got back their passports from the thieves, he commented, "Nothing goes anywhere, but it comes to me. Remember that you wanted to give me four hundred rupees? The thief took away exactly four hundred rupees. So, now it is settled."

The Westerners were called to Guruprasad for a final meeting on Monday morning, November 5th, and Baba made his usual inquiries about their health and other matters. Marion Florsheim said she felt sad. Baba replied, "Why should you be sad? Take me home in your hearts.

Meanwhile Marion Florsheim gave Baba a large round stone, saying is was an alligator egg from her husband Mickey, to show Baba there really were alligators in that Gator Lake at Myrtle Beach! Baba took the stone with a comic look, as if to say, 'What is this for?', then rubbed it over His tummy as if it were a cure for this 'grape trouble' of His! It was the most droll scene I've ever witnessed. To top it all, Baba called again for Dana, saying He thought it ought to go in the Chronicle that there would be no grapes after 700 years. When Dana came in (the perfect foil and straight man), Baba told him to put it all down in the Chronicle. Then He said, 'On second thought, though, don't put it in the Chronicle; let them guess why there are no grapes!' After we stopped laughing about this, Dana posed the question, 'What will they say, that I said there won't be any grapes because they gave the Avatar a tummy ache?'

After this Agnes took Baba on a tour of the grounds of Meher Mount, all of us following, and as He passed the sulphur swimming pool with its leafy arbor, He smilingly gestured, "Grapes again!' Meher Mount and "the grape story" are intertwined in the memories of us all.

Courtesy of The Awakener Magazine. Vol.5  No.2  page 19

Images of Marion Florsheim - are they the same person ?

Marion's Family Genealogy Charts