Obituary for Marcia Ann Whited Stillwell
In loving memory of
Marcia Ann Stillwell
Born June 16, 1942 Sidney, Ohio
Died May 25, 2023 Oak Harbor, Washington
Much loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, world traveler, and lover of flower gardens.
Survived by her loving husband of 58 years Rex Stillwell, two children, Annette Kay Stillwell Ennis of Oak Harbor, Washington & Shannon Colleen Temple of San Antonio, Texas, sister Sara Jo Johnson and brother John Ross Whited, both of California, 2 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, and 4 great stepchildren.
Born in Sidney, Ohio in 1942 to Sarah and John Whited, and the fourth of five children, Marcia moved with her family to Hermosa Beach, California in 1656 where she met her life-long best friend and future husband, Rex Stillwell. They attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and dated until graduation when Rex enlisted in the U.S. Navy and Marcia went on to become one of the few women in the Business Department at what was then Pepperdine College. There she graduated with a Bachelor of Science and she later earned a Teaching Certificate from Long Beach State.
On August 15, 1964, Marcia married Rex Stillwell, who had separated from the military, and they resided in St. Charles, Missouri, Manhattan Beach, California, and Waverly, Illinois, and started their family of two girls.
In 1974 Rex rejoined the U.S. Navy in and Marcia began her adventure as a Navy Wife. The military took them to Yokohama, Japan in 1974 where she taught English to Japanese nursing students and learned the art of Japanese flower arranging/Ikebana. Rota, Spain became her home in 1978 where she started teaching in the Department of Defense (DOD) School System, taught night classes for the University of Chicago, dabbled in English-style horseback riding, and experimented with square dancing. In 1982 orders took them to Yokosuka, Japan where she continued working in the DOD system, at Nile C. Kinnick High School.
After many adventures abroad in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain, Marcia and the family returned to the USA in 1986 and made their home on beautiful Whidbey Island. Here she taught at Oak Harbor High School and then worked briefly for Chapman University before settling into retirement as a full-time wife, gardener, and active church member in the early 2000’s.
Marcia is remembered as a tomboy by her brother and as having the most beautiful smile by her sister. A gracious and kind host, her home was always filled with plants and flowers, and she made a mean batch of oatmeal squares. Marcia’s family will celebrate her life privately and thank friends and family for your prayers and well wishes.
Marcia Ann Stillwell
Born June 16, 1942 Sidney, Ohio
Died May 25, 2023 Oak Harbor, Washington
Much loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, world traveler, and lover of flower gardens.
Survived by her loving husband of 58 years Rex Stillwell, two children, Annette Kay Stillwell Ennis of Oak Harbor, Washington & Shannon Colleen Temple of San Antonio, Texas, sister Sara Jo Johnson and brother John Ross Whited, both of California, 2 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, and 4 great stepchildren.
Born in Sidney, Ohio in 1942 to Sarah and John Whited, and the fourth of five children, Marcia moved with her family to Hermosa Beach, California in 1656 where she met her life-long best friend and future husband, Rex Stillwell. They attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and dated until graduation when Rex enlisted in the U.S. Navy and Marcia went on to become one of the few women in the Business Department at what was then Pepperdine College. There she graduated with a Bachelor of Science and she later earned a Teaching Certificate from Long Beach State.
On August 15, 1964, Marcia married Rex Stillwell, who had separated from the military, and they resided in St. Charles, Missouri, Manhattan Beach, California, and Waverly, Illinois, and started their family of two girls.
In 1974 Rex rejoined the U.S. Navy in and Marcia began her adventure as a Navy Wife. The military took them to Yokohama, Japan in 1974 where she taught English to Japanese nursing students and learned the art of Japanese flower arranging/Ikebana. Rota, Spain became her home in 1978 where she started teaching in the Department of Defense (DOD) School System, taught night classes for the University of Chicago, dabbled in English-style horseback riding, and experimented with square dancing. In 1982 orders took them to Yokosuka, Japan where she continued working in the DOD system, at Nile C. Kinnick High School.
After many adventures abroad in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain, Marcia and the family returned to the USA in 1986 and made their home on beautiful Whidbey Island. Here she taught at Oak Harbor High School and then worked briefly for Chapman University before settling into retirement as a full-time wife, gardener, and active church member in the early 2000’s.
Marcia is remembered as a tomboy by her brother and as having the most beautiful smile by her sister. A gracious and kind host, her home was always filled with plants and flowers, and she made a mean batch of oatmeal squares. Marcia’s family will celebrate her life privately and thank friends and family for your prayers and well wishes.