Marcia Elizabeth Tarabochia

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!Marcia - the Early yearsFrom, at the age of 8, pulling the fire alarm on the power pole near her home on Shelby St. in Seattle (which was followed by the Fire Chief's visit and promise to send her to the "Hoosegow" should she repeat her offense) to, at the age of 9, crossing over the Montlake Bridge, clinging to the outside, adoptive parents Bea and Harold Swendsen knew they were going to have their hands full with their daughter, Marcia Elizabeth (or Shona as she was called by her younger sister, Mary). Early childhood memories included her best friend Ginny who lived across the alley on Hamlin St. They shared secret messages in a matchbox that passed between their bedroom windows. Summering at Pt. White, the Swendsen family made Bainbridge Island a permanent home in 1936. Marcia was in the last graduating class of the Pleasant Beach School. At Bainbridge High School life-long friendships formed with BFF Medal, Betty, Rokie, Ginger, and Flo, just to name a few. Marcia discovered a growing interest in the theater and enjoyed Drama Club. Graduating in 1944 she attended the U.W. focusing on her interest. Illness forced her to leave school, but her love of the Performing Arts remained. She worked in Seattle for D.K. MacDonald and on the Island "back when the bank's vault door was a padlocked sheet of plywood."Marcia - the Married yearsWho is that handsome man I see? None other than Jack Tarabochia! Married during a blizzard in 1950, theirs was the first interfaith ceremony performed at St. Cecelia. Children David, Barbara and Steven joined the family and Marcia accepted her greatest role as mother and homemaker (with a brief appearance as a hostess at a local restaurant, a role which was cut short when she ordered a Rob Roy instead of a Roy Rogers for a young patron). Growing up during the Depression & WWII, Marcia learned a life-long habit of saving and reusing things ‘til they wore out, (or just inventing new uses for them). Brownie Scout fieldtrips, summer picnics at the family home, Crazy Rummy parties, football games, mixed up spaghetti, making jewelry, sewing, arts & crafts, gardening, garage sales, traveling; Marcia made memories to last a lifetime.Marcia - the Golden years
On her own again in 1995 after her husband's passing, Marcia became the queen of recycling and joined the Bainbridge Island Senior Center, enjoying trips and activities. She continued her interests as her health allowed and rekindled her love of the Arts. Marcia was so proud of David's kids, her grandchildren, Dominic and Nicole. Great granddaughter Chloe was the apple of her eye. Marcia loved keeping in touch with her many nieces, nephews & their children as well as the kids of her adult friends. After her parents died Marcia searched for her birth mother. "I just wanted her to know that I was all right." That was Marcia, cheerful & always thinking of others. A supporter of Helpline House and an IVC volunteer ‘til she was 80, she was one of those rare individuals who sincerely gave of herself, not for praise or self-gratification, but because she truly cared about the well-being of others. Her hand-made lavender sachets brought a smile to many a face. At the age of 83 she contributed to the soon-to-be-published Let it Go, Louie. Marcia was born April 10th, 1926 to Frances Coon. Others say she led a meaningful life, but when asked, she said she wished she had appreciated others more. She passed from this world on October 28th 2009 in her home of 50 years, surrounded by family and lifelong memories. She requested no cards, flowers or memorial service, "but to remember the fun times we had together".Marcia was so thankful for the many senders of memory cards and caring calls received during her final weeks. "I never knew ‘til now just how much a ‘thinking of you' card means." Marcia's neighboring families of Bev/Lee, Ardie/Herb & Barb/Tom will be long remembered for their loving friendship shared with her over the years.