Marcis Jean Abbott

God welcomed Marcis into his arms the morning of April 29, 2016. Marcis will be greatly missed by her family and friends that lovingly referred to her as Mops. 

Marcis was the most kind and giving person you could ever know. Marcis was born in Fort Yukon August 2, 1954.  Marcis was adopted at the age of 2 by Reverend Paul Bills and his wife Marguerite (Herrick) Bills.  The Bills were Pastors of the Assembly of God Church in North Pole at the time and had adopted Marcis’ sister Roxanne when she was a baby. Marcis was living with her great grandmother in Fort Yukon who was also named Marcis. Paul Bills traveled to Fort Yukon with the hope of convincing her that it would be better for the sisters to be together. The elder Marcis was reluctant, but eventually agreed. Marcis was accompanied to North Pole by her aunt Molly, who also served as interpreter, since Marcis’ first language was Gwitchin. 

From North Pole, the Bills moved to Barrow and then to Nome in 1965.  Marcis graduated from Nome High School, class of 1972, then attended Northwest College in Kirkland Washington.

I met Marcis in Nome the summer of 1976 and it was truly love at first sight.  She had the prettiest eyes that I had ever seen.  We were married April 5, 1980.  Marcis worked for the State of Alaska for 11 years, until our daughter Terra was born February 25, 1985.  Mops stayed home with Terra for a couple of years, which gave her much joy.  Eventually, Mops went back to work and retired from Norton Sound Health Corporation after 20 years. This decision allowed her to spend time with our grandsons, Connor and Liam. It was a big help to Terra, who is a nurse at our hospital in Nome.  Mops loved being with the boys but would joke saying “I think I’m busier now than when I was working!”  

We tried to visit my parents, Dale and Patricia, every year in Washington State.  We also traveled to Florida and later Virginia to visit Mops’ mother Marguerite.

When Terra was on the swim team, we traveled to Fairbanks for a competition. Before we left, Roxanne said she had been in touch with their birth mother Josephine Peter and that she wanted to get together with us while we were in Fairbanks. I said that it sounded like a good idea, Mops had mixed feelings never having met Josephine. Terra had a swim event early in the morning and didn’t have another event until later that day.  Mops and Terra decided that was a good excuse to go shopping.  I didn’t share their enthusiasm and since the basketball playoffs were on TV, we decided I would drop them off at the store, then go back to the hotel and watch the game.  I had just sat down to watch the game when the phone rang.   I was surprised because I didn’t think anyone had our room number. The voice on the phone said, “This is Josephine, Marcis’ mom.”  I replied “Yeah, Mops said maybe we could get together while we were in town.”  She said “I’m in the lobby!”, so I went down to meet her.  Josephine asked me to give her a ride to the Carrs grocery store and I agreed. Well, this was before cell phones and I was getting nervous because Mops and I had set up a time to meet at the JC Penny parking lot, and it was soon approaching.  I told Josephine I had to leave soon and she said “I’ll come along.”  As we pulled up, Mops and Terra approached the car and Mops was really looking at me like, who’s that in the car?  All I could do, was roll down the window and say “Mops, this is your mom.”  After that, I’d always say, I introduced Mops to her mom.  Eventually, Terra ended up attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, allowing Mops to know her birth mother and some of her brothers and sisters.

Mops enjoyed going for rides in the country and spending time at our camp at Sinuk.  She loved singing and playing the piano, was an avid reader and an excellent cook.  Mops loved gathering with family and friends and eating native foods and especially liked spending time with her grandsons Connor and Liam.

Mops will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  Her smile and laughter could brighten up your day. Marcis was my best friend, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.                   

Marcis was preceded in death by parents Paul Bills and Marguerite (Herrick) Bills, birth mother Josephine Peter and father-in-law Dale Abbott.

Marcis leaves behind husband James Abbott, daughter Terra Abbott, son-in-law Christopher Aningayou, grandsons Connor Aningayou and Liam Abbott, sister Roxanne (Bills) Irvin, nephew Hunter Bills and his daughter Roselynn Harrison, brother Paul (Judy) Bills,  mother-in-law Patricia Abbott, sisters-in-law Coleen (Arthur) Solbakken and Karen (Richard) Petersen and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be at the River of Life Assembly of God on Thursday May 19 at 2 p.m.  Celebration of Life potluck will follow at the Mini Convention.  Please bring a dish to share.

Looking through Marcis’ night stand, I found this written on a piece of paper:

Forgiveness is a virtue

Patience is a blessing

Believe in the one upstairs

And the one beside you

That is true love.