REMEMBERING MARCIA ZAKARISON

Dr. Marcia Zakarison will be missed

Dear San Juan Island community,

posted 03/10/2007
In a way, I know I've been dreading this news about Marcia since my teen years when she and I were great friends and she first dealt with a terrible diagnosis. Because of her family's determination and her own stamina, she succeeded in licking those early scares through state-of-the-art medical treatment in Spokane and was thus blessed with a full and happy life with her terrific family and friends.

My early memories include Marcia as winner of the elementary school talent show (guitar, of course!); cooking at the farm - my father was allergic to onions, and to this day I remember Marcia's mom, Elaine, teaching me to peel and chop onions and just ignore the crying.

Then there was Marcia having to be home-schooled as she recovered from treatments for long periods of time. Naturally, she never missed a beat. No-one will be surprised to know that Marcia's mother was very involved in social activism and was a role model for many young women growing up in Pullman.

Fast forward to the 1980s and Marcia as the model doc for my mother, who had suffered a stroke and was severely debilitated for her remaining four years. What a relief to know that she was in such caring and capable hands, thanks to Marcia's decision to live in Pullman for a stretch of years.

I have thought of Marcia and her family many times over the years, and am so grateful that you took the trip to Pullman for our class reunions. What a delight to meet Marcia's wonderful daughters and to know that Marcia experienced a part of life that we worried wouldn't be possible in our own teen years. She lived a full and happy life because of the level of determination she applied to everything she undertook.

Marcia, I will miss you. Your legacy stretches from early childhood right through to 50. I wish you could be with me as I turn 50 in a month so we could laugh and remember and cry together.

Love

Alison Stevens
Seattle

Dear Editor,

posted 03/10/2007
My heart goes out to the daughters and husband of Marcia. I didn’t have the chance to know her in the “Dr.” sense, but somehow managed to see her almost daily none the less. I had the pleasure of starting off most off my days with her at Curves. As the manager there, I can honestly say that she will be missed by all the members. Somehow things always seemed to go better when she came in. Whether it was the idea of "a Dr. in the house", or her quiet smile, I am not sure, but I do know that she will be greatly missed by all who met her. I wish her family the best I can. You are in everyone’s hearts and prayers during this time.

Tandi Mauldin

Dear Tom, Emily and Alaina,

posted 03/08/2007
I am grateful that I knew Marcia. She was my physician and yoga student. Marcia was one of the people in my class who gave me courage to reach and grow as an instructor, always encouraging, always helpful. She was so respectful of my role as an instructor and yet had no problem gently scolding me when she knew I was doing too much after I sprained my ankle. When a family member became seriously ill quite suddenly, I was instantly soothed when the physician on-call was Marcia, capable and instructive at 2:30 am. I am so sad that such a dear and amazing person is no longer present and I am so very sorry for your loss.

Cathi Brewer

Dear Island Community,

posted 03/08/2007
Words cannot begin to describe the terrible sadness that surrounds the loss of our friend, co-worker, and EMS Medical Director, Marcia Zakarison. In the more than two years that I have known her, she has become more than a physician, she became a friend. She was also my family's physician because of her skill and compassion.

Marcia was much of the "behind the scenes" success of the EMS, as our Medical Program Director for many years. It was her passion and wisdom that allowed the EMTs to expand their level of care, educating us toward excellence, and encouraging us when the going was tough. She would come to the EMS building at very late hours to help us review a difficult call or to thank an EMT who saved someone's life. As a friend, we could find no better person. Marcia was one to quickly praise and encourage and look for the good in people. She genuinely loved working with the other physicians, nurses, technicians, and staff of IIMC and EMS.

Even when challenged with her own illness, she put others first. She leaves behind a legacy of love as a wife and mother that few others can match. Her daughters will always be able to remember their mom with pride, knowing that she changed the lives of so many here on the island for the good. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom, Emily and Alaina.

Our community has lost a talent physician, passionate friend, and loving wife and mother. She will never be able to be replaced, but her legacy will continue on in her family, the community, and the work of IIMC and EMS. She would have wanted no less.

Respectfully,

Jim Cole
Chief, San Juan Island EMS

To Marcia’s family, the staff at the Medical Center, and to the community:

posted 03/07/2007
Marcia’s death comes as an enormous shock. She was my doctor, once a co-worker, and a friend. She provided my family with excellent medical care and put up with my endless questions about their health. She balanced a full life with grace –mother, wife, doctor, community member. When I think of her, I see a golden halo of beautiful hair cascading behind her as she moved from patient to patient and role to role. It was the color of the Palouse wheat fields she grew up on. Marcia was generous, wise, efficient, thorough, kind, beautiful – and so much more.

My heart goes out to all who knew and loved her, and especially to her nurse, Rosalee, who worked with her so closely. She will be missed by so many.

Ingrid Fabianson, Sara and Laura Bauer

To Tom and Family,

posted 03/07/2007
It was with great sadness that I received word that Marcia passed away. She was a brave and courageous spirit and our hearts are with you during this very difficult time. We will release a single white dove this weekend to help send her spirit along to her next journey. Tom and girls, if you need anything at all in Bellingham or anywhere on the mainland, I am here to help, do not hesitate to ask.

Blessings,

Kirk, Karen, Riley and Lauren Ghio

Dear Editor,

posted 03/07/2007
It is difficult to find a good doctor. It is difficult to find a good doctor you like. It is difficult to find a good doctor who likes you and cares about you. Dr. Marcia Zakarison fit all this perfectly.

On December 17, 2004, Dr. Zakarison removed an ugly mole from the back of one of my identical twin daughters. We laughed, grateful to have the thing gone. My daughters were just 17 years old.

On December 22, Marcia called me at work with the pathology results of the mole: malignant melanoma, Clark's Level 4--meaning cancer inside my daughter's body, level 4 meaning very bad. This was our Christmas present.

Within three days, Marcia had secured for us one of the best cancer teams in the U.S. at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Meghan had her first of five operations on December 30.

Over the next two years, Marcia was with us every step of the way, through every operation and one year of intense chemotherapy. She called us at home often and asked us to call her at her home often. We saw her regularly at the clinic here.

Marcia has always been there for the three of us. Without Marcia, my own health would be severely compromised. She has never steered me in the wrong direction.

Marcia is a keeper. We wish we could have kept her. We miss her greatly, and are not yet sure how to navigate without her.

Annie Hutton, FHPet Supplies, Brianna, and Meghan

Dear Editor,

posted 03/07/2007
Dr. Zakarison will be missed by all who knew her. My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to her family and all the people who loved her.

Those of us who were privileged to have her as our physician came to know her as a warm hearted, caring friend.

Elena Thoms

Dear Editor

"Life is like a piano. Anyone can play a song through meaningless repetition, But it takes passion to play a masterpiece." Kent Nelson

To the SJCPHD, IIMC Staff, Tom, Emily and Aliana;

It is with a heavy heart that I send you all my condolences. What you all know is how talented Marcia was as a physician, but more significant was her the masterpiece of her life; her passion for her family and the island community that captured her heart.

She was an inspiration to so many through her amazing compassion, grace, determination and insight. It was a privilege to work along side her. I pray the Lord will provide each of you with the measure of peace you need when the days seem darkest.

deb
Debra Wiggs, FACMPE
Bellingham, WA

Dear Editor,

posted 03/07/2007
In the years that we have known her, Dr. Marcia Zakarison helped us to live a healthier lives and was there to offer her competent medical advice. I have had many doctors and she was the best. Her caring and thoughtfulness for us as individuals was evident always.

She spoke sometimes about her wonderful daughters -- just in passing but letting us know that she loved them by her soft words. Her respect and love for her husband was clearly there as well.

We shall miss her forever. We offer our care and love to her family during this sad time and for always.

Larry and Ardie (RD) Larson
Friday Harbor

Dear Editor,

posted 03/07/2007
I wonder how many people can honestly say they look forward to appointments with doctors but that's how it was with Marcia Zacharison and two ex-islanders. Such anticipation made more sense from one of our perspectives since those visits were quite minor while Jan's were largely about cancer or considerations triggered by the disease. Marcia had an inside track on that one and was the instrumental go-between as Jan was and continues to be treated by a variety of caring physicians and assistants here in Bellingham.

Marcia had a great attitude and an impressive sense of what was important and what was not. Her contributions to Jan's battle are significant. Marcia's sharing of her cancer experiences were of enormous help. We shall miss her deeply.

Jan and Bob Sanders

Dear Editor,

posted 03/07/2007
I am so sad to lose the best Doctor I have ever had. She was so kind and gentle and I always felt she really listened to my concerns with all of her attention. She was a bright light and I am going to miss her. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Andrea Berlatsky

Statement from the Hospital District Board

The San Juan Island Hospital District Board of Commissioners wishes to express our deep sorrow for the loss of our community’s physician, Marcia Zakarison. Dr. Zakarison was a wonderful person and clinician who served our community for more than six years and was well loved by her patients and all of us who knew her. Her insight and guidance will be missed greatly, and she will be fondly remembered as one who encouraged us in our mission to continually improve the health care delivered to our residents.

This is a huge loss to us as a District and to all of us here on San Juan Island. Our hearts and thoughts are with her family.

San Juan Island Hospital District Board of Commissioners
Lenore Bayuk, Chair
Michael Edwards
Bob Low
Randi Dooley-Park
Mike Carlson

Dear Editor,

posted 03/06/2007
Marcia will be missed so deeply by this community. She was a Doctor committed to her clients, she gave me comfort in difficult times and gave me faith that better times were ahead. I will miss her greatly. My prayers go out to her family and to Rosalee, her partner in caring.

Gail Gardner

Dear Editor,

posted 03/06/2007
Our Family is in deep sadness due to the passing of Marcia, what a brilliant wife, mother, friend, community member and Dr. she is. She has such a compassion and trueness about her that cannot be measured. I do not think I have ever met someone as sincerely concerned as her before, she serving her calling so graciously as a Doctor.

People like her come around rarely and I am so blessed to have known her as long as we did. Our prayers are surrounding Tom and the girls and I hope will bring some sense of peace when you need it most.

She is in the most precious hands now and even though we will never understand why,God does and that does help in our comfort. May God bless all of you today with a peace that passes all understanding.

Love,

Steve Laurie Joshua Tanner and Faith Buck

Dear Tom, Alaina, Emily and the Community,

posted 03/06/2007
My heart goes out to all of us who lost a wonderful lady that has influenced everyone she came in contact with. As a former patient, friend, and co-worker she touched me very deeply. She was filled with such a positive outlook on life, even though it gave her many challenges to step over.

As this island is one to do, we all are here to lean on each other and to share in the Celebration of the time in which we got to share with her. Tom Alaina. and Emily if you need anything all you have to do is reach out and we will be there. She will forever be in our hearts and minds as she watches over us all.

With heartfelt remembrances

Kathy Carlisle

Dear Editor,

posted 03/06/2007
I just had to write and say "I will you miss you so much Marcia" I was one of your "ladies" and you treated me as if I were a member of your family. As I am writing this, I am weeping. My heart goes out to your husband and your daughters and to all your other ladies that will miss you as much as I will.

Goodnight...

Shirley Reuscher

Dear Tom, Alaina and Emily...

posted 03/05/2007
On behalf of the middle and high school drama students, myself and Jenni, we send you our deepest love and condolences. Your wife and mom will always be our hero, as she quietly took care of so many of us in such a loving and compentant manner. She was a teacher to all of us in the way she handled her pain and in her love for her family. I know how proud she is of all of you and I can see her clearly smiling down on you now, urging you forward.

As our island community has done so many times before, we all stand ready to help you in any way we can. It took a doctor like Marcia to care for an island, and her community will be there for you. Tom, Emily, Alaina...we are here for you. Let us give you some of our strength and do not hesitate for a moment to ask for anything. And to Emily in particular right now...you are our only Cinderella and we will be here waiting patiently for you. We send you our collective hugs and will lovingly deliver them in person when next we meet.

Fred Yockers, Jenni Merritt and the casts of "Anne Frank" and "Cinderella"

Dear Editor,

posted 03/05/2007
Marcia was one of the most beautiful women I know. She touched so many lives with her patience and thoughtfulness. She will be dearly missed. Our love and prayers to her family and friends.

Jake and Becky Phillips and family

Dear Editor,

posted 03/05/2007
Marcia Zakarison will be missed by all. One of kindest, most thoughtful and caring individuals we have had the pleasure to know. She always had a twinkle in her eye and a smile in her heart. Her passing is a loss to us all. Our condolences to her family.

With warm remembrances.

Tim & Lynne Pope and family

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