BOMBER MEMORIAL

MARSHA ROSE HOPFINGER SORK ~ Class of 1967
May 29, 1949 - November 5, 2018

~

~

~

Marsha Rose Hopfinger Sork died peacefully at home in Vancouver, WA on November 5, 2018. She was a cherished friend and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, tenderness and generosity. Her life began in South Dakota on May 29, 1949. Marsha's mother died upon her birth and she was lovingly adopted by her aunt and uncle, Adam and Johanna Hopfinger. She grew up in the Tri-Cities, attending Christ the King Catholic School and graduating in 1967 from Richland's Columbia High School.

Marsha was a WSU Cougar, always challenging her Husky friends at Apple Cup and seeking Cougar Gold Mac-n-Cheese. She earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education in 1971 in Pullman and went on to earn her first Master's degree in Education and then a second Master's degree in Counseling.

Marsha dedicated her life to the service of teaching children. Starting as a Kindergarten teacher and Reading Specialist, Marsha became an elementary school principal at Lieser and Lake School Elementary Schools and then Director of Elementary Education in Vancouver until 1990. She finished her career in the Camas School District as principal of Lacamas Elementary from 1990-97 and finally as the CSD Personnel Director.

After retiring in 2004, Marsha moved back to Richland to be close to her parents, sister and niece. She returned to the Vancouver area in 2014.

Purple was her signature color and her collection of designer tennis shoes was admired by many. Marsha's most beloved place in the world was Disneyland where she was inspired to believe in the magic and wonder of life. Marsha was famous for showering others with gifts and took great delight in finding just the right one. Her perfectly wrapped presents at Christmas time were works of art, adorned with gorgeous bows that she skillfully made by hand.

Marsha was an amateur photographer and master grower of roses. For a time, she competed in Rose Society competitions and even won "Best of Show" in Olympia, WA in the early 90s. Her favorite rose was called Color Magic. She was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching games with her dad, never missing a Mariners baseball or Seahawks football game on TV. She loved spending time with friends and family camping and boating. An entire generation was taught to water ski through her patient and calm instruction in the deep waters of Mayfield, Anderson Island and the Columbia River. She was rewarded by being left floating alone when the successful skier finally pulled away more times than can be counted.

Marsha is survived by her son, Eric Sork and his wife Keri; daughter, Cathy Sork Gehlhausen and her husband Steve; her sister, Karen Mosset ('76) and niece Emily. She is also survived by her friends that became her family, including Pat Dahl and her daughters, DJ and Karyn; Linda and Dennis Meade, their sons, Randy and Darby and their growing families; and Brad Lothspeich and his children.

She is preceded in death by her father, Adam, who passed away May 30, 2012; and by her mother, Johanna, who passed away February 1, 2009.

Her favorite Disney story was Snow White and she will be remembered by the grandkids that were the seven dwarfs to she and Pat: Tanner, Austin, Carson, McKenna, Andrew, Fred (Rosie) and Luke.

As a tribute to her amazing life, we raise a "fountain Diet Pepsi with pellet ice" toast to grandma, auntie, friend, sister, and mother, Marsha Sork, the fairest of them all.

There will be a service to honor her life beginning at 11am on Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a reception to follow at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church located at 4723 NW Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98663.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington to honor her love of animals Southwest Humane Society.

Express your thoughts and memories in the online Guest Book which will remain online until December 13, 2018.

Inurnment next to her parents at Sunset Memorial Gardens was at 11am on November 23, 2018.

NOTE: Marsha's sister, Karen Hopfinger Mosset ('76), is planning an informal Memorial for Marsha in Richland at the Gaslight on November 24 from noon-3. Please let her know if you would come or not. Karen's phone number is 509-205-1475.

Published in The Columbian on November 13, 2018.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).