Much to our sorrow, Shirley Ann Marsh passed away on Friday, December 27th 2013 at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living Facility with her family around her.
Shirley was born February 15, 1928 in Gregory, South Dakota to Melvin and Clara Harder. On March 16th, 1931, her family moved to Hood River, OR .. Later on, her parents bought the Loop Lunch restaurant and gas station where her friends liked to hang out after school. Shirley attended school in Hood River until her parents moved to Portland her junior year. In 1946 she graduated from Franklin High School and married her high school sweetheart, Gilbert Clarke. They raised three children, Peggy, Ken and Colleen.
Shirley was happy being a mother and homemaker, working seasonally at Duckwalls Packing House. As the children grew, she kept books for Keils Grocery Store and later worked for Hood River Memorial hospital and Ice Fountain Water District. In her spare time, she loved to play cards, have lunch with friends, and crocheting.
In 1984, Shirley and Gilbert divorced. In 1985, Shirley remarried the other love of her life, Don Marsh. She and Don liked to travel and she kept the books for his farm, Middle Mountain Orchards. They were married for 27 years before Don passed away October 16, 2011. In November, Shirley moved to Hawks Ridge Assisted Living.
We feel her greatest achievement in life was being such a wonderful mother in her gentle and loving way. We all strive to be the example she set for us. She will be truly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don Marsh, her brother Marvin Harder, and her step grandson, Jeff Marsh.
She is survived by her daughter Peggy Courtney of Eugene, Or. son Ken Clarke and his wife Alice of Parkdale, Or., and daughter Colleen Vannet and husband Chris of Hood River, OR., Step son Rick Marsh and his wife Sharon of Hood River, Or. and Stepson Phil Marsh of Portland, OR. Grandchildren, Shannon Webster, Travis Brown and wife Tegan, Marsha Belden, Amy Bauer, Nate Clarke and wife Christie, Renee Clarke, Calli Zuercher and husband Bryan, Casey Vannet and Aletha Washburn and husband Tyler. She leaves four great grandchildren, Shayla and Carley Webster, DeShawn Brant and Drew Brown.
A celebration of her life will be held at Andersons Tribute Center in Hood River on Sunday, January 5, 2013 at 1 pm. Graveside service following at 3pm.
Family requests that any donations be made to Providence Hospice of the Gorge.