Marcia Jane (Lein) Simonson Obituary (1935

Marcia Jane (Lein) Simonson, 88, of Poulsbo died after a brief illness on March 11, 2024. Beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, Marcia was also devoted to the care and healing of patients during her long career as a registered nurse. Born to Hannah and Goodwin Lein in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on November 19, 1935, Marcia became a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest at just 6 months of age when her family relocated to Oregon. They eventually settled in Seattle, where she was graduated from West Seattle High School. Marcia attended Pacific Lutheran University, where she met her future husband James ("Jim"). She completed the clinical portion of her nursing education at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland and was awarded her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1958. She and Jim married that same year and began their life together in Portland. Jim's career with the US Forest Service took them to Bend, Oregon, where their first daughter, Deborah, was born. The family's next stop was in Lakeview, Oregon, where Marcia recalled having to start a fire in the wood stove of the tiny hospital when she arrived at work at 5:00 am. She gave birth to her younger daughter, Jennifer, there in the same hospital that had previously been a house. In 1963, the family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon for a brief time, then to a ranger station in the Winema National Forest outside of Chiloquin. Marcia commuted back to Klamath Falls where she worked part time at the local hospital. In 1968, the family moved to Pendleton, Oregon. Marcia continued to work part time while raising her family. Starting on the evening shift at St. Anthony Hospital, she worked her way up to the Head Nurse position on the surgical floor. She became interested in oncology nursing and eventually completed an enterostomal therapy certificate program at the University of Kansas. Upon her return to St. Anthony Hospital, she transitioned to Enterostomal Therapist. Marcia was one of three founding members of the St. Anthony Hospice program. She served as the Hospice Coordinator. For her diligent work, she was named Employee of the Year in 1985. In 1986, Marcia and Jim, now empty nesters, moved to Eugene, Oregon. Marcia accepted a job at Sacred Heart General Hospital, transitioned to Hospice Program Coordinator, and finally Hospice Program Manager. In 2015, Jim and Marcia relocated to Poulsbo, WA in order to be near family. During her long career, Marcia was involved in many professional organizations, including serving on the Boards of Directors of the Oregon Hospice Association and the Blue Mountain Oncology Program. She was also a member of the Nursing Education Sub-Committee of the American Cancer Society. Marcia was a devout Lutheran and attended church throughout her life. She regularly took part in Bible study classes, volunteered on various church committees, and sang in the choir alongside Jim. She was also the Parish Nurse at Central Lutheran Church in Eugene. Marcia's numerous interests included skiing, travel, and spending time with family. An accomplished cook, she was famous for her legendary chocolate chip cookies. She was a devoted dog mom, and one of her favorite activities was walking dogs on the beach in Bandon, Oregon. Her husband Jim preceded her in death in 2018. Survivors include daughters Deborah Coatsworth (David), Jennifer Elliott (Paul), brother Gary Lein (Christy), grandchildren James and Andrew Coatsworth, and Jack and Elizabeth Elliott, nieces and nephews, and beloved dog Nala. A celebration of Marcia's life will be held on June 1st at 2:00 pm at Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Port Madison Lutheran Church or PAWS of Kitsap County/PALS (Pets and Loving Seniors) program.