Obituary: Parker, Marcella Jeanne
Age 89
(Age 89)
Marcella Jeanne Parker died peacefully in her sleep in the predawn hours of February 8th, 2016.
During the days leading up to her passing, she engaged in the fullest measure of life she could muster, as she had done throughout her several year struggle with lymphoma.
Jeanne, a resilient, determined Midwestern woman, was born in Greeley, Nebraska on October 24, 1926 to Herbert and Florence Sampson.
One of eight children, she was raised in Omaha in the shadow of St. Cecelia’s Cathedral and Grade School, rooting her deeply in her Catholic faith, which flourished and sustained her throughout her long life.
Her Catholic education included high school at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, followed by graduation from Duchesne College with a speech major and education minor.
One enchanted evening in 1945, Jeanne was the date of a medical student at a Creighton University medical fraternity dance, when her beauty and fun spirit caught the admiring eye of 1st year med student, handsome Robert Parker from Seattle, Washington.
Bob asked her to dance, then for her phone number.
Later Bob would recount how much he loved how effortlessly they moved together around the dance floor.
They married in November 1948.
The music and the dancing never stopped throughout their 68 years of devotion to one another.
Early married life was a whirlwind.
Jeanne gave birth to eight children in ten years, five sons and three daughters, while Bob completed his medical training and set up an Internal Medicine practice in Spokane.
In 1956, they moved into their Cannon Hill Park home, affectionately called “The 737 Club.”
It remained their beloved residence for the next 60 years.
Within view of St. Augustine’s Church and Grade School, Jeanne set about raising her family in her cherished Catholic faith.
Paramount to her faith was service to others.
Jeanne was a community spirited woman.
Her varied and widespread volunteer commitments included The Sacred Heart Service League, for which she served as founding president, Spokane County Medical Auxiliary, St. Anne’s Guild, St. Augustine’s Parish Council, Republican Precinct Committee Woman, Cannon Hill Garden Club, Southwest Community Kindergarten, Spokane Country Club Women’s Golf Association, Campfire Girls and Boy Scout leader and board member of Northwest Foundation.
She remained committed for many years to the ESL program at the Barton School.
Ever the practical woman, she liked to tell the story of how she taught English as a second language to women by using grocery store flyers.
Jeanne’s energy and interests were boundless.
She was a dedicated fan of Gonzaga basketball and WSU football.
She loved golf, skiing, competitive tennis, international travel, gardening, cooking, reading and playing mah jongg.
Jeanne’s great joy was entertaining.
Jeanne and Bob’s home, and later their Spirit Lake cottage, rang with music, laughter and unforgettable gatherings of their many much-loved friends, who were essential to her life.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her infant son Stephen Thomas and siblings Herb, Holly, Carmen (Sr. Mary Jane O.P.
), Dick, and Father Jim SP.
She is survived by her loving husband Bob; seven children: Bob (Sharry), Nancy (Jim Renga), Mary Kate, Jim (Megan), Terry (Karen), Tom, and Janie (Keith Slater); sisters Millie Nielsen of Ft. Meyers, FL and Sally Brady of Lincoln, NE; 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
The Parker family is deeply grateful to Dr. Hakan Kaya and the staff at Cancer Care Northwest, along with the staff at Providence St. Joseph Care Center and at the Atrium Rockwood South Hill for the loving care provided our wife, mother and grandmother.
Vigil service will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 428 W. 19th, Spokane, WA on Sunday, February 14, 6:00 pm.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, February 15, 3:00 pm at St. Augustine Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Margaret’s Women and Children’s Shelter, PO Box 2253, Spokane, WA 99210 or Catholic Charities of Spokane, 12 E. 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: