Marcella L (Burke) Roth

Marcella Lucy Burke was born on July 2, 1954.  She was named after her paternal grandmother Marcellina Burke and her auntie Lucy Caye.  Marcella was born in a very large family.  She had 12 brothers and sisters. 

When she was just 18 she started her own family when Francios was born.  At 19 Marcella married Frank “Harry” Harris who was stationed at Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.  To this union their daughters Myra and Mignon Harris were born.

Following her husband’s deployments, Marcella lived in Fort Worth, Texas then on to Pordenone, Italy.  She loved all her adventures with Harry until he passed away in a tragic house fire.

Later she met and married Corwin Roth and together they had Correne, Cassandra and Corwin “Kunu” Roth.

As a young woman Marcella was full of energy and fun.  She had friends all over the northwest.  Before she started a family Marcella aspired to be a professional dancer.  She loved to dance and she absolutely loved Motown music.  She knew all the words to all the songs. 

Marcella was a flashy dresser and her hair and makeup were always immaculate. 

Although we have plenty of stories about her, one in particular stands out.  Once during Christmas Eve dinner at her mom Louise’s, Marcella was supposed to bring the ham.  She showed up late without the ham and for the next 40 years she never lived that down. 

Marcella loved coloring and drawing pictures, playing chess and cards.  She loved to pitch in getting firewood.  She wasn’t much help, but she could make you laugh doing stupid things. 

Marcella is preceded in death by her husband Harry; her parents Louise and Dennis Burke; brother William, Clifford and Franny; sisters Clarissa, Clarinda, Glenda and Wilma; grandsons Olijah, Josiah and Sheldon. 

She is survived by her brothers Mike Burke, Marlin Burke, Tyrone Burke, Reuben Gopher, Leonard "Whiskey Joe" Abrahamson, sons Francios and Kunu; daughters Myra, Mignon, Cassandra and Correne; 35 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

We’re all going to miss Marcella so much.  She had the most fun Halloween parties and cook outs.  To this day Marcella opened her home and fed whoever was hungry. She especially loved cooking for her nephews because they loved her cooking.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marcella L (Burke) Roth, please visit our floral store.