Marcia Lee Obara

Marcia Lee Obara, a devoted Registered Nurse and beloved member of her community, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. Born Marcia Lee Mellenthine on June 20, 1952, in Niagara Falls, New York, she dedicated her life to caring for others with a fierce independence and a servant’s heart, always giving 110% in all that she did.

Marcia graduated from Niagara Falls High School before earning her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Buffalo in New York. Her nursing career took her across Arizona after she moved there in November of 1997. She worked passionately in diverse communities including Payson, Surprise, Lake Havasu, and finally settled in Tucson, where she continued to touch the lives of many with her compassionate care and dedication.

On July 3, 1971, Marcia married Thomas Obara in Niagara Falls. Their marriage was a cornerstone of her life until Thomas’s passing. Together, they shared a love for family and tradition, especially cherishing their Christmas celebrations, where the family would gather to build gingerbread houses year after year—a treasured memory that brings warmth to those who knew her.

Marcia’s spirit extended far beyond her nursing career. An adventurer at heart, she loved birding, traveling, quilting, volunteering, and pushing her limits by participating in half triathlons, geocaching, rock climbing, RV travels across the U.S. on her own, and canoeing. She found joy and pride in her volunteer work at Peppi’s House, where she spent her last days. She also contributed her talents by quilting for the Ronald McDonald Society and being an active member of what is now the Tucson Bird Alliance.

Her family was central to her life, and she is lovingly remembered by her son Jason Obara and his wife Ashley, as well as her granddaughter Erin Rose Obara. She is also survived by her sister Sandra Carroll and her husband Blaine, and her brother Kyle Mellenthine and his wife Cathy, along with many nieces and nephews who will carry forward her legacy of kindness and determination.

Marcia was preceded in death by her husband Thomas J. Obara, her parents Carl W. and Joan MacMillan Mellenthine, and her brother Lance Mellenthine.

Her fierce independence, profound caring, and selfless spirit have left an indelible mark on all whose lives she touched. Marcia Lee Obara’s light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of her loved ones and the broader communities she so deeply cared for. She will be dearly missed, remembered, and celebrated for the remarkable woman she was.

Services will take place in both Arizona and New York at dates yet to be determined.

Contributions in Marcia's memory may be made to Birdability whose vision is that birding truly is for everybody and every body, regardless of disability or other health concerns: https://www.birdability.org/donate