Marcia Milne Johnston Jurgens was born on March 31, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois and passed away in Green Valley, Arizona on March 4, 2018.

Born into a show business family, Marcia was a child actor appearing in commercials, plays, and TV shows. Her father, George Johnstone (the 'e' was added for his stage name), was a well-known magician along with his lovely assistant and wife, Betty Marsch Johnston. Marcia attended Immaculata High School in Chicago and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where she met her loving and devoted husband of 54 years, Doug. She later attended the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois where she obtained two graduate degrees, one in clinical social work and one in special education administration.

After marrying Doug in Chicago on January 4, 1964, they lived and worked there before moving to Doug's hometown of Arthur, Illinois. This city girl adapted well to small-town country life, and it was here that they raised three feisty daughters, Christie Logan (Bob Poznanovich), Kimberly Miles (Ed), and Elizabeth Padovan (Seth).

Marcia worked in child welfare, and then at Coles County Mental Health Center where she became clinical services director and acting director. She completed 20 years as a school social worker in Mattoon, Illinois, and then continued to teach graduate students at the University of Illinois.

Throughout her life, the family took many backpacking trips out West. Marcia hiked the Grand Canyon five times, and loving Arizona, she and Doug settled in Green Valley in 2004.

Marcia was the proud grandmother to Sam and Jack Logan of Minnesota, Nan and Henry Miles of South Carolina, and Quinn Padovan of Nevada. Although they lived far apart, they were together often and in awe of their grandmother's many accomplishments, including being the most entertaining reader of stories (those voices!) and the creator of wonderful holidays and family gatherings. They loved hiking and playing Boggle with her and hearing her infectious laughter.

She also leaves behind her mother, Betty Johnston, age 96, and sister Jennie Kula (Paul), both in Minnesota, as well as three nieces and two nephews. Her father and a brother, Georgie, preceded her in death.

Marcia had many interests. Her hobbies were constructing and publishing crossword puzzles, a little dealing in antiques, and the masterful creation of stunning gardens in Illinois, which were often featured on garden tours. She enjoyed travel, especially to her happy place, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and enjoyed collecting Native American art and meeting the artists. She was a voracious reader belonging to multiple book clubs. Marcia also served on the library board in Arthur and was a Friends of the Library volunteer in Green Valley. She was a member of the Green Valley Hiking Club, Newcomers of Green Valley, and the United Methodist Church of Green Valley.

Diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in 2008, she resolved to live every day to the fullest, making new goals and enjoying life almost a decade past expected. Her intellect, wit, and hospitality will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Special thanks to Dr. William Cliby of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Setsuko Chambers and her staff at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, and Amedisys Hospice. The love and support of family and friends has meant the world to Marcia and Doug through the years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Green Valley Library at https://gvlibraryfriends.org/Donations.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church of Green Valley, at 300 W Esperanza Blvd, Green Valley, AZ 85614. Feel free to wear your favorite cowboy boots and don the silver and turquoise. Marcia would have loved it.