Marcia Ann Mayorga

1955 - 2010

Marcia Ann Mills Mayorga passed from this life Friday, October 15, 2010, following a brave and courageous battle to live following a bone marrow transplant in April.

Marcia was born in Hanford, California, on November 17, 1955. She grew up in Lemoore and graduated from Lemoore Union High School in 1973. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Pepperdine University in 1977 and immediately began to fulfill her long-held goal of teaching children. She taught elementary classes at Mountain View Christian School in Fresno; taught and coached junior high class at Solano Christian Academy in Fairfield, and taught elementary classes at Campbell Christian School in Campbell.

Due to her husband's job transfer, the family moved to Vancouver, Washington in 1994. Marcia taught piano lessons for several years while raising her children, and was forever grateful to her piano teacher, Betty Blakeley of Lemoore. After her youngest, Seth, started school, Marcia became a student again and earned a Special Reading Credential at Washington State University. She then returned to teaching in the Vancouver Elementary Schools.

Marcia was a joyous, outgoing, and positive woman who loved life. Her devotion to God and her family and friends was her top priority. Prior to her illness, she was a table leader for a women's Bible group and taught a kindergarten Bible class. To quote a close friend, "I feel I got the best of Marcia. We shared many, many, many wonderful days together during our children's early childhood right through their teen years. I cherish those thoughts and keep them close to my heart, not feeling that she has left, only how much I gained from being so close to her."

Marcia learned at an early age to love sports, and she was a fierce competitor in everything from dominoes to cards, to basketball and tennis. She participated in junior high track, was on the high school swim team for four years, and participated in intramural sports at Pepperdine University including basketball, tennis, and water polo. In her junior year, she was named 'Outstanding Female Athlete in Intramurals' at Pepperdine University.

Her hobbies, in addition to playing sports, included making beautiful hand-stamped greeting cards, listening to all types of music, playing the piano, and studying God's Word.

Marcia is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 28 years, Randy, and three children - twin daughters Rochelle and Leah of Fresno and son, Seth, of Vancouver, Washington. She is also survived by her parents, Marlin Mills of Hanford, California, and Gary and Wilma Cole, Lemoore, California, and one brother, Dr. Marlin D. Mills and his wife, Sheri, of Mesa, Arizona; one nephew, Nathan Mills of Visalia; two nieces, Lydia Solano, San Diego, and Cassidy Mills of Mesa, Arizona; uncles, aunts, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hanford Church of Christ, 12th Avenue and Grangeville Boulevard, Hanford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Yosemite Bible Camp, c/o Donna Lane, Secretary, 442 W. Spruce, Lemoore, CA 93245 or to Western Christian School, 1594 W. Grangeville, Hanford, CA 93230. Arrangements are under the direction of Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore.