Marcella (Marcy) Marie Dennison, 60, of Wakeman, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on October 22, 2022. Marcella was born on June 25, 1962, to Theodore (Ted) and Madeleine (Madge) Dennison (nee Greyeyes) in Reno, Nevada, joining her sister, Cheryl Renee. In 1965 the family relocated to Crescent City, California, where Ted and Madge divorced. Later, Ted married Joyce Beal, bringing into the now-blended family her children, Rick, Margo, and Paula.

In junior high and high school, Marcy’s athletic talent was clear as she excelled at competitive swimming, and then running. Running became her catharsis, and she was a champion in the Humboldt-Del Norte high school league, qualifying for State in both cross country and track. She set many long-standing records and was inducted into the Del Norte High School Athletes’ Hall of Fame last year. After Marcy graduated from Del Norte High School in 1980, she went on to study at Long Beach State University.

After college, Marcella moved to Washington state, and married Frank Daniel Gopher on February 25, 1989. Marcella and Frank were soon blessed with a daughter, Raevyn Marie Gopher, and then a son, Joseph Daniel Greyeyes Gopher. Marcella immersed herself in Frank’s (Yakima) and her (Cree) native heritage, even embarking on her own business creating “Traditional American Indian Sewing & Crafts,” including Cradleboards, jewelry, moccasins, and buckskin dresses. As her children grew, she became involved with, then worked for, the Toppenish School District. After she and Frank parted ways, Marcella began her successful career in accounting with Battelle Corporation as an auditor.

In 2019, Marcella moved to Wakeman, Ohio, to care for her father. Her heart, though, longed for the place she always considered to be her home. The ocean, the beach, and the Redwoods remained forever in her heart, and called her back often to the place where she felt most at peace.

Marcella is survived by the two loves of her life—her daughter, Raevyn Marie Gopher, and her son, Joseph Daniel Greyeyes Gopher. Also remaining are her father, Theodore (Ted) Dennison, half-sister Carol Greyeyes, stepsisters Paula Beal and Margo (Beal) Flora, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Marcella was preceded in death by her sister, Cheryl Renee (Dennison) Chapman, and her mother, Madeleine Marie (Greyeyes) Dennison.

A future memorial service will be held in Del Norte County, California, where her ashes will be lovingly returned to the Earth from which she came. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to (web address for donation site) or sent to (mailing address) to help with final expenses.

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