Marsha Bliggenstorfer

July 3, 1950 ~ August 31, 2009 Born at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Dr. and Mrs. James I. Thorn (USN), the family lived in various cities during her father's naval career, including service at U.S. Naval Hospitals in Naples, Italy, Philadelphia, PA, Jacksonville, FL and San Diego, CA. In 1965, the family moved to East Wenatchee. She graduated from Eastmont High School in 1968, and attended Washington State University, where she earned a dual degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Microbiology. After graduating from WSU, she traveled to Massachusetts to become Clinical Instructor and Director of the Medical Technology program at the Laboure College, affiliated with the Carney Hospital in Dorchester, MA. After leaving the Laboure College, she became Senior Technologist for the medical Hematology/Oncology department at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In 1981, she married Richard Bliggenstorfer and moved to St. Louis, MO, where they established their first home. There, son, Justin, was born in 1984. Later in that year, the family moved to Boston, MA. In 1986, Joshua was born. The family moved to Atlanta, GA and then to Beltsville, MD, where Jonathan was born in 1989. In 1990, the family moved to Wenatchee, WA. Marsha attended Central Washington University, where she earned a teaching certificate in Biology and master's degree in Education. For the past five years, she taught at Foothills Middle School, where she realized her lifelong passion of teaching Science. Marsha volunteered for various community service roles, most notably as board member and past President of the Wenatchee Community Concert Association. Her interests included gardening, reading, baking and her family. Her parents and an infant brother, Wayne Lee Thorn preceded her in death. Surviving her death are her husband; and three sons; daughter-in-law, Amanda Rose Bliggenstorfer (married to Joshua); five siblings, Suzanne Porter (John Porter) of Wenatchee, WA, Jamie Laliberte of Princeton, NJ, Douglas J. Thorn (Dana) of Sammamish, WA, Roger P. Thorn of Redmond, WA and Rebecca E. Thorn of Wenatchee, WA; and 16 nieces and nephews. The family will be holding a Private Memorial Service. Friends wishing to convey condolences, may visit the family home between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2009. Memorial contributions may sent to the Marsha Bliggenstorfer Science Fund (to benefit Foothills Science Education), c/o Washington Trust Bank, Wenatchee, WA.

Marsha Bliggenstorfer

July 3, 1950 - August 31, 2009