Obituary of Marie M. Berkshire

Marie M. Berkshire (94) longtime St. Maries area resident of 42 years, passed away July 6, 2011 at her home at St. Joe City. Marie was born February 5, 1917 to Isaac and Susan (Reed) Elwood at Valley, WA\Her earlier years were spent at Valley until the family moved to Kellogg, ID in 1924 where her dad found work in the mines. That spring, they moved to Mullan, ID where she graduated from High School with the class of 1935. She was in high school during the depression years. School activities were limited, but Marie participated in Basketball, Glee Club and played the piano with the school orchestra. After high school, Marie med and married Richard Hoskins, They were married in 1935 at Mullan. They had three children together. While living at Mullan and raising her family, she worked as a telephone operator, grocery and drug store clerk. After her marriage ended, she met Lewis L. Berkshire. They were married at Mullan, ID in 1950. They then made their home at Port Orchard, WA and two more children were born. Marie worked at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in the supply dept. as a clerk typist (GS-3). She was a homemaker until 1967, when she decided to live her dream of becoming a nurse. During her schooling, it was interupted with a move to Calder, ID in 1968. She worked at Valley Vista Nursing Home for a year before returning to school to finish her nurses training. Being the determined lady that she was, she drove from Calder, Id to Spokane, to Sacred Heart Med. Center to complete her schooling in 1970. She then went to work for Benewah Comm. Hospital and worked there many years . Before retiring, she went to work for the St. Maries School Dist. And worked with her husband as custodians at the High School for 3 years. They then semi-retired. She and her husband were "Snowbirds" to Quartsite, AZ for 6 yers during which time they were with the Volunteers for Christ which helped people build churches. In 1990, Marie went back to work at Benewah Comm. Hospital until 1993, when she finally officially retired to her home on the Shadowy St. Joe River at St. Joe City. Marie enjoyed playing the piano and did so in several of the local church's they attended. Teaching piano was on of her favorite things to do. She also enjoyed learning the history of the St. Joe Valley. Family, friends and neighbors were dear to her and she enjoyed every minute she spent with them. Exchanging reciepes at any gathering was her delight. She made many friends through the years and no one was a stranger. Her loving and giving spirit, her faith and her willingness to serve others were her greatest gifts to all who knew her. She is survived by her husband at the family home at St. Joe City. Her sons Richard Berkshire of Freeland, WA and Clifford Berkshire of Everett, WA . Her daughters Pauline Wade of Longview, WA, Sharon Howard of Absarokee, MT and Sandra Clifford of Spokane Valley, WA. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers Kenneth, Donald and Sisters Sarah and Loraine. A celebration of her life are being planned for a later date to be announced. The family suggests memorials to either Hospice of Benewah Co., 702 College Ave., St. Maries, ID 83861 or Hands of Help 1012 S. 3rd St., Watertown, WI 53904 Read Marie Berkshire's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.