Dena Suzanne Marsch

After a courageous, long-fought battle, Dena Bondietti Marsch died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Aug. 13, 2015.

Dena was born on April 21, 1954, in Astoria, to Carl and Joyce Bondietti. She attended Astoria schools. In high school, she participated in athletics and was a member of many different organizations.

Following graduation from Astoria High School, she attended Oregon College of Education, now known as Western Oregon University, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor’s of science degree in physical education and health, with an emphasis in athletic training. Returning to Astoria, she worked during the summer of 1976 for Astoria Parks and Recreation. An injury put both teaching and sports on hold, and she worked in the medical field for four years.

In the spring of 1981, she was hired by Astoria High School to teach physical education, health, and senior transitions, a position she held for 28 years. Her coaching career included volleyball, basketball, and track as head or assistant coach. She also served on various committees, and in the mid-1980s helped create the Astoria School District Wellness Program.

In Astoria, on April 17, 1993, Dena married John Marsch. Since retirement in June 2009, they have remained active with contributions to various AHS athletic programs and most recently, a donation was made to Astoria High School to change classroom door locks so they could be locked from the inside during an emergency. Dena was honored to be inducted into the AHS Hall of Fame in September 2014 for her many contributions.

Not wanting to give teaching up totally, Dena taught online classes for ORVED and others throughout the state, and continued to substitute occasionally at Astoria High School.

Dena was preceded in death by her father in 2002. Her family includes: her husband, John, of Astoria; her mother, Joyce Bondietti, of Astoria; her stepson, Tad Marsch, and her granddaughters Brianna, Jordan and Caylee Marsch of Warrenton; her brother, Carl J. (Butch) Bondietti; her nieces, Claire Bondietti and Emily Gill of Milwaukee; her niece, Kara Bondietti of Pomona, Calif.; her nephew, Carl N. Bondietti of Oxnard, Calif.; her aunt, Yvonne, and uncle, Jerry Lundholm of Bandon, Ore.; and many cousins.

There will be a celebration of life at Astoria High School Commons on Aug. 21, 2015, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Astoria High School Scholarship Inc. in her name, Dena Bondietti Marsch, or to Lower Columbia Hospice.