Spotlight COlorado  

Have You Met?

I caught up with Edie Marks in her shiny new 2001 XJ8 Gold Jaguar while she juggled I-25 traffic and her many speaker and cell phones. She is very organized. She carries a day timer and is a big believer in lists. Some days it's just a small pad with a list. Today was hectic and it was a big notebook day with pages of lists. She also has a great memory. (She showed my husband and I a home over 8 months ago and remembered us.)

Despite her reputation as queen of Denver real estate, Edie hasn't always been involved in the business. Edie and her husband, Mort moved to Colorado in 1972. She spent the early years decorating homes and became a lobbyist at the State Capital. She worked hard to protect the Cherry Creek Schools. When Mort lost a sizeable amount of money in the commodities market, Edie went to work in real estate for Dawson and Co. Her goal was to earn enough to make the couples $350 a month house payment. Edie has come a long, long way. Last year she closed $43,795,000 worth of real estate and earned herself the distinction of being number one in the Denver Board of Realtors.

After 19 years with Dawson and Co., Edie joined The Kentwood Company. Mort stays involved in politics and writes for Colorado Expressions and The Villager.

Philanthropic interests: Cindy has volunteered for four years with The Adoption Exchange

Saturdays are likely to find her in: Mort and I eat out almost every night. We enjoy The Metropolitan Club, Roy's in Cherry Creek, PF Changs, Ming Dynasty and Papillion's among many others.

Favorite clothing stores: Saks Fifth Avenue and St.John. I work all day, everyday and need to be able to transition from day to night often time wearing the same outfit. There just isn't time to change and St. John suits are beautiful and classic.

What gives a woman style?: Style is really a function of confidence. I think a woman can do anything if they have confidence in themselves. I wear a gold and diamond bee on my shoulder everyday. Because of it's shape and size a bee shouldn't be able to fly. They are not built to fly but they do and so do I. It reminds me everyday that anything is possible.

Interests: I'm a past president of The Cancer League of Colorado. My Mom died of cancer 35 years ago and I've been dedicated to this cause for years. The league is 100% volunteer. There is not a paid staff and all of the dollars go directly to research.

Favorite look on a woman: : I love classic, timeless clothes. Simple elegance is a great look and can go from day to evening very nicely.

Favorite Denver restaurants: Mort and I eat out almost every night. We enjoy The Metropolitan Club, Roy's in Cherry Creek, PF Changs, Ming Dynasty and Papillion's among many others.

Favorite book: When you work seven days a week, reading a novel is a luxury. I read several newspapers every morning. The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News.

Favorite childhood memory: There was a Muscular Distrophy benefit at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. My grandmother was in charge of it and was on stage. I got to go up on stage and pick the winning ticket for the raffle. I also have great memories of going to the Catskills Mountains in New York with my grandparents when I was young.

Pets: I have a four-pound Yorkshire terrier named

Advice for a happy marriage: The key to a long, lasting happy marriage is compromise and don't always say what you are thinking!

What's your favorite comfort food?
Chinese food. I grew up eating it every Friday night.

What was your most memorable meal?
The Metropolitan Club had a special wine dinner and the presentation was so spectacular I've never forgotten it.

What food can't you live without?
Pasta

Where do you go in your home to feel completely relaxed and just think?
I have a loft office upstairs and it over looks my garden. It is very relaxing to work there and see my beautiful flowers.

If money and time were no object, what dream project would you do (to your home).
I would sell my home and build. It is really more a matter of time than money. I like a home where every room is comfortable and inviting.

What was the most unusual thing you've ever decorated your home with?
I just replaced a brick fireplace with a cherry fireplace and it makes the room much warmer.

What have you lost in your home that you never found - and would love back?
I lost a diamond while cleaning the toilet and I did find it.

What one word describes you best?
Energetic

What one word would like others to use to describe you?
Caring. I honestly care about people.

If your life were a movie, what movie would it be? Who would play your part?
It would be called The Queen Bee and Bette Midler would play me. People tell me I look like her. It would be a very boring movie.

Who is your hero? Why?
My husband, Mort is my hero. He is totally honest and very comfortable with himself, very supportive, very bright and a good person.

What is your pet peeve?
People not thinking of others.

What was your first job?
I was a teacher in the Bedford Stuyevsant section of Brooklyn.

What would you do if you were king of the world?
I would stop wars and stop people from killing each other.

What is you greatest indulgence?
Dining out constantly

Best gift you ever gave?
The gift of life to my kids.

If you could have a no-holds barred shopping spree, where would you go?
Saks Fifth Avenue

What is one thing nobody knows about you?
It's a mystery. Something I won't talk about for many years.

Which social event if your favorite?
The Cancer League Benefit.

If you could be something other than what you are, what would you be?
A singer - better than Barbara Streisand

Who is the most interesting celebrity you've ever met?
Sammy Davis Jr. When I was a teacher in Brooklyn, I would take my students to his rehearsals once a week and we became great friends. He was rehearsing a show with Judy Garland and Peter Lawford.

What do you consider your proudest achievement?
My children. I have 2 fabulous girls.

What is your personal motto?
It's related to the Bee. Don't be limited by anything. You can do anything you want.

What might your epitaph read?
She had a great time and lived everyday to the fullest.

What is the best advice your Mom/Dad ever gave you?
Appreciate what you have.

Favorite Clothing Stores? Saks Fifth Avenue and St.John. I work all day, everyday and need to be able to transition from day to night often time wearing the same outfit. There just isn't time to change and St. John suits are beautiful and classic.

Favorite Restaurant? Mort and I eat out almost every night. We enjoy The Metropolitan Club, Roy's in Cherry Creek, PF Changs, Ming Dynasty and Papillion's among many others.

What gives a woman/man style? Style is really a function of confidence. I think a woman can do anything if they have confidence in themselves. I wear a gold and diamond bee on my shoulder everyday. Because of it's shape and size a bee shouldn't be able to fly. They are not built to fly but they do and so do I. It reminds me everyday that anything is possible.

Saturday night at midnight is most likely to find you? Mort and I eat out almost every night. We enjoy The Metropolitan Club, Roy's in Cherry Creek, PF Changs, Ming Dynasty and Papillion's among many others.

Do you have any Pets? I have a four-pound Yorkshire terrier named

Favorite books / Writers? When you work seven days a week, reading a novel is a luxury. I read several newspapers every morning. The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News.