Marsha Rockwell Hirt

Marsha Rockwell Hirt has a new birthday in Heaven with Christ, her king. Celebrating with her are those that went before her. Her parents, Edward and Doralee Rockwell, Grandsons Ryan and Salem Rogers, and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends.

Those that mourn her include her Husband, Michael, Daughter Jennifer Rogers, Granddaughters Ashleigh Dalstra and Celeste (Teofilo) Aguirre, Great Grandson Teofilo and Great Granddaughter Kensleigh Cross. She is also survived by her sister Debbie (Eric) Larson and other relatives and friends.

Marsha was born on November 26th, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from Creston High School in 1968. She was a Dental Assistant in Grand Rapids for over 40 years, retiring from Beckwith Family Dental in 2012.

In 1954 her family was called to leave St. Paul’s Episcopal Church along with other families including relatives to become charter members of a new parish in Northeast Grand Rapids, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. They broke ground in 1956. Marsha and her sister grew up in that church. Marsha raised her family and served on Vestry, Lay Leader, Junior High Sunday School Teacher. That included service projects and monthly work at God’s Kitchen.

Marsha was involved in the West Michigan Episcopal Cursillo Community and that is where she began her mission of “Loving someone closer to Christ”.

Marsha was one of the first volunteers at In The Image in downtown Grand Rapids helping clients and making new friends.

In 2003, the Bishop of Western Michigan called members from St. Andrew’s and St. Matthews to start a mew mission church in northern Kent County. Marsha knew that this was in her family’s history and that she needed to go. Jenny raised her family at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church where Marsha continued to attend.

At Holy Spirit, she was one of the original team members that started the “Loaves and Fishes” food pantry that served the needy in northern Kent County. She served both as a volunteer and on the steering committee for many years.

In 2015, she was accepted into Daughters of the King and participated in the St. Andrews chapter until becoming a member at large as her health began to decline.

The shining stars of her life were her family. Being a part of the growing years of her daughter, granddaughters and great grandchildren was what she was meant to do. Her love will always be with us.

Her love of gardening and flowers was always big for her. She enjoyed planting Zinnias each spring that lasted all summer, the Daisies outside her window and the Tulips and Snow Drops coming up every spring. Seeing the butterflies, hummingbirds and listening to all the other birds was a joy. In later years, Marsha was the brains, and Michael was the worker of the gardens. We transplanted raspberry bushes to our new home and the family tradition of making raspberry jam will continue.

Marsha was able to travel during our years together, including the US, Mexico, England and her family’s heritage home of Scottland. She was always proud of her Scottish genes.

Marsha began Hospice care in December of 2024 and passed on in her sleep early in the morning on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

A memorial service will be on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Located at 1025 3 Mile Road, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49505 at 2PM with visitation hour prior to the service. The family asks those in attendance to wear something purple, as it was Marsha’s favorite color. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Hospice in Marsha’s memory.   

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