Marcia Elaine Willson-Schirber, age 74, passed away at her home in Tucson, Arizona on Friday, June 8, 2018. She was born on March 6, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to James and Angela (Migacz) Willson. She grew up in a family of five sisters including her twin, Marlene. Marcia attended Collinwood High School in Cleveland and later went on to graduate from Ohio University with a degree in Education. She completed her MA degree in Reading from the University of Arizona. Marcia taught in several schools in both Maryland and in Tucson. She worked for 20 years in the Tucson Unified School District as a teacher, reading specialist, and special education instructor and formed many lasting relationships with her students and colleagues over the years. On May 20, 1978, she married Timothy Loring Schirber. Marcia met Tim while both were working as VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteers in San Francisco and later in Tucson. Together, they had one daughter, Angela. Marcia enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Of their many visits to the National Park units throughout the country, Marcia and Tim most enjoyed Grand Teton National Park which they visited numerous times and for which they held many fond memories, particularly of their time together hiking the many beautiful trails in the park.
Marcia’s special interests included raising their daughter and caring for her gardens at the different residences she and her husband occupied over the years. She loved planting trees, shrubs, and flowers and watching them mature and flourish over time with the attention of her loving care. Marcia and Tim were active birders as well and enjoyed observing birds at various locations from as close as their backyard to various organized field trips around the country. Marcia is survived by her husband of 40 years, Tim; daughter, Angela (John) Patcella; one grandchild, Madeleine; sisters, Judith (Robert-deceased) Shaffer, Susan (Robert) Young, and Cindy Baker and many nieces and nephews. Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Nancy Zupko and Marlene Lasko.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 180 Samuel Blvd., Coppell, Texas. The Schirber family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Tucson Medical Center Hospice Services for their attentiveness and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the TMC Hospice Services, 5301 E. Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ 85712.