Wanda Marsh
December 9, 1932 – January 6, 2024
Wanda Marsh passed away peacefully on January 6, 2024, in Omaha NE. Wanda was born near Shreveport, LA on December 9, 1932, to Selma (Woodell) and John McKinney. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Joyce Neagle and Johnnie Mulcahy; and brother, Frank McKinney.
Her family moved to west Texas in the 1940s and Wanda graduated from Amarillo High School in 1950. She was once honored as the fastest high school typist in the state of Texas. She became an Air Force bride and lived in Alaska, Illinois and Colorado. Eventually the family settled in Santa Fe, NM, where Wanda worked for state government for 40 years in administrative assistant positions. She used her writing skills for five governors, replying to correspondence on their behalf. Until age 81 she was on the final proof-reading team for enacted bills passed by the New Mexico legislature. Wanda fell in love with Northern New Mexico and often took her kids on outings to Bandelier, Chimayo, Taos, and many other places around New Mexico.
She loved to travel and visited Australia, New Zealand, China, and most of Europe. She was a voracious reader and avid game player. She loved watching Jeopardy and doing her crossword puzzles in ink.
Due to her battle with dementia late in life, Wanda moved from NM to Nebraska to be near family. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by her family: daughters, Dee Ann (Lee) Bowen of Omaha, NE and Carla (Steve) Portnoy of Austin, TX; grandchildren & great-grandchildren: Scott (Andrea) Bowen, Levi, Josie, Hans; Casey (Rebecca) Bowen, Luella, Gwen, Matilda; Katy (Darron) Mackins, Kai, Mia; Allison Portnoy, Leah (Ryan) Ermis. Her family and friends will remember that she was loving, thoughtful, funny, feisty, opinionated, strong, independent. They will miss her smile and her laugh.
Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
3 Comments
I’ll never be able to put into words what this messenger from God showed me about life. But, her string-free gift of love has stuck with me my whole life. She showed my brother and I love when she didn’t have to. Love and peace to Dee and all her family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of Wanda. Wanda was a good friend to our mother, Virginia (Ginny) Brosman when they both resided and were neighbors at Richmont Village in Bellevue. Unfortunately our Mom had to move to the Assisted living facility & passed away on February 28th, 2024. She missed Wanda & often spoke of her fondly.
Wanda is dearly thought of and missed daily by myself and by her dear friend Tootsie. I have good memories of playing heated scrabble games and other board games with her. Rest in peace
Sign Guestbook