Marcella Ellen Marchiel

Marcella Ellen (Marcia) Marchiel passed away on July 12, 2026, at the age of 78, in Tucson, Arizona, with her family by her side.

Marcia Marchiel (née Ogonowski) was born on the 12th day of the 12th month at 12 minutes after 12 in the year 1947. She liked to tell people that and then say that her favorite number was 13. She was born to Mary and Stan Ogonowski in Detroit, and the family welcomed her little brother Doug about two years later. Marcia grew up in a Polish neighborhood on the west side of Detroit where she attended St. Hedwig. As a kid, she loved ice skating and was pretty good at it, too.

Marcia knew the love of her life, Herbert Marchiel, during their school years, but their love connection happened at a friend’s wedding in May of 1968, after they had both graduated from high school and after Herb had served in Vietnam. Marcia let Herb drive her Corvette that evening, which helped seal the deal. They were married on February 7, 1970, at St. Hedwig with about 500 guests in attendance.

Marcia was so very warm and likable. She charmed all of her co-workers, from the OBGYN office in her 20s to the halls of St. Anne Elementary, where she spent two decades climbing the ranks from lunch lady to secretary. She loved living among her neighbors on Hampton Court in Fraser for 51 years. In the 1980s, she was a bonus mom to many kids in Fraser, and in the 1990s, to many kids at St. Anne. She prided herself on keeping a pitcher of Kool Aid ready in the fridge and having the best snacks in the pantry. Recently, she and Herb moved to Memphis to be closer to family, and Marcia could be seen cheering for grandkids who weren’t even hers on the sidelines of youth soccer and basketball games. Marcia loved road trips, white wine, cooking shows, Siesta Key, and lots of other things. Her family is grateful that she had such a joyful life.

Marcia was a fabulous wife, mom, and grandmother. She was always scanning for ways to make her family happier and more comfortable, and they loved her for it. She is survived by her husband, Herb Marchiel; her children Brian Marchiel (Christina) and Rebecca Marchiel (Peter); grandchildren Dylan Marchiel, Dreas Marchiel, Bruce Thilly, and Margaret Thilly; brother Doug Ogonowski (Sandy); in-laws Gary and Penny Marchiel; nieces Julie Johnson Lambert (Kory) and Lisa Wilmes (Ryan); and nephew Matthew Ogonowski (Sarah).