Marcia (Bennett) Thomsen

| July 21, 2015 2:08 PM

Mrs. Marcia (Bennett) Thomsen passed away at Banner Boswell, Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 8, 2014, at the age of 69 due to a serious fall that lead to severe head trauma.

Marcia was born on July 22, 1945, in New York to Henry and Matilda Bennett. A gifted artist and teacher, she graduated with her bachelor's in education from Buffalo State University, then studied for a master's of literature at University of Syracuse.

She taught high school English in Newark, New Jersey, before John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" convinced her to move west to Montana, in 1972, where she taught elementary school in Columbia Falls. Her interest in her students was sincere and compassionate. Through her work she was able to transform countless lives.

Marcia lived her life with strength, grace and kindness. She brought her love of art and literature to many; leading and attending painting classes, quoting and writing poetry, motivating students and friends to believe that they are capable of anything- as she, herself, demonstrated. Marcia enriching many lives with her beauty, intellect and compassion, she will be greatly missed by all.

Marcia had a deep affection for family. She was a giving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She is survived by her husband and love, Lyle Thomsen, of Bigfork, and Surprise, Arizona; her daughters, Emily Walter, Amanda and Matt Cornelius, Kirsten and Neil Patel and Amity Thomsen; her grandchildren, Guillermo, Matilda, Isabelle, Ella, David, Kaitlyn, Morgan and Mija; her brother Walter and Irene Veit; sister Vivian and Hank Mason; nieces, Trisha and Leslie; nephews, Eric and Brian, and many, many good friends in all corners of the country.

A small service was held December 12, 2014, at the Desert Palms Presbyterian Church in Sun City West, Arizona.

A celebration of was held July 22 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls.

Following the summer service, her ashes will be spread along the Florida coast and the North Fork of the Flathead.