Marcia Lorraine Jeffery, née Ross, passed away July 20 after prolonged illness, at the age of 72. She was a devoted wife and beloved sister, aunt, great aunt, stepmother, stepgrandmother, and faithful friend. "Marcy" was born May 26, 1954, in Saginaw, Michigan, the third of five children of Harold and Lorraine Ross. She attended parochial school and high school in Saginaw, then went on to the University of Michigan to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing summa cum laude in 1975. She did clinical work in Hawaii and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and finally settled in Ojai, California, where great fortune smiled upon her and she met her husband, Jim. They married in 2012, and Marcy's happiest years followed, though impacted by complex illness.
Marcy is survived by her loving husband, Jim, who carried devotion to the nth degree during the caregiving years. Marcy and Jim's paths didn't cross till later in life, but Marcy was definitely the benefactor of the motto she always said with a wink—"No woman could ever resist a fireman!" She eagerly adopted stepmother status to Kimberly of Ojai, Tara (Rick and son Kiran) of Ojai, Stevi of Santa Paula, and Ty of Ojai and looked forward to each tea party opportunity with stepgranddaughter Simone. In order, Marcy's siblings are Jon (Carol), in San Francisco; Dean (Pat), in Missoula, Montana; and sisters Lisa in Petoskey, Michigan, and Mary (Erik), in Dublin, California. Nephews are Jason (Julie and two sons) in Wasilla, Alaska; Andy (Michelle and their daughter and son) in Bozeman, Montana; and Danny (Ally and their two sons and two daughters) in Alexandra, New Zealand; brother-in-law Jerry (Barbara) Nampa, Idaho; and son Eric of Santa Paula, California, and daughter Katherine (Jim) and their two daughters of Nampa. All will miss Marcy's loving smile and frequent, heartfelt letters. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to nurses, doctors, specialists, nursing homes, hospitals, and friends who helped Marcy with love through her illnesses.
A memorial event is planned for 11 AM, Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Ojai United Methodist Church, 120 Church Road, Ojai, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a memorial to a charity of your choosing or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.