Obituary of Marie Louise Koonce

Marie was born June 13, 1914 in Rockford, Illinois. She was the second child of Mathilde and Joseph Copeland. Mathilde taught French at Keith Country Day School and Joseph played the cello. Marie went on to become an RN at St. Anthony's School of Nursing and worked as a public health nurse. In 1944 she married Lt. Elmer Koonce, an Army Air Force pilot. Soon after, she moved to California with her partner, Ora Lee and, then invalid, mother. Daughter, Linda, was born in 1945. Marie worked as an elementary school nurse in Los Angeles, mostly in the San Fernando Valley. Marie and Ora Lee retired to a remote home in the Angeles National Forest where they fended off forest fires, fed deer and foxes and watched for cougars and rattlesnakes. Later they moved to the small community of Onyx, 60 miles east of Bakersfield, where Marie grew abundant tomatoes every year. Marie loved all animals but was especially fond of Dachshunds and had many over the years. She was a steadfast supporter of environmental and wildlife protection. At age 89 Marie realized her dream of going to Alaska and despite her fear of flying she boarded a helicopter to see the glaciers. In 2009 Marie and three dogs moved to Santa Cruz to live with her daughter. In spite of the ravages of dementia she accompanied her daughter to the flea market every week and dined at the wharf with friend and caregiver, Carol. She looked forward to visits from great granddaughter, Brijzha, when they would feed the ducks at San Lorenzo Park. Marie maintained relatively good health until her last few days and she attributed that to working hard and eating well. Marie is survived by daughter, Linda Howe of Santa Cruz, granddaughter, Cymene Howe and great grand daughter, Brijzha of Houston, and her dogs Sparky and Crissy. No services are planned for Marie. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle for Marie and share any condolences with her family.