Obituary of Marie Cumer

Marie CumerA memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at St. Paul Catholic Church for Marie H. Cumer of Eugene, who died Aug. 13 of complications from Crohn’s disease. She was 50.A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at the church at 1201 Satre St. in Eugene.She was born Sept. 5, 1959, in Concord, Calif., to Tom Higgins and Barbara McCain. She married Rick Cumer on March 2, 1985, in Eugene.She graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1977 and was a sales representative for Qwest.Survivors include her husband; her mother; a son, Elliot of Eugene; two sisters, Kathleen Plourd of Merlin and Maureen Rake of Medford; and a brother, Tommy Higgins of Grants Pass.Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. Remembrances to the Marie Cumer Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo branch for a stone bench at Alton Baker Park, or to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.Marie Cumer, beloved mother, wife, daughter, and sister, passed away on August 13, 2010 at the age of 50, from complications of Crohn's disease. A service is planned for 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 27, 2010, at St. Paul Parish, 1201 Satre Street, Eugene, Oregon, with a reception to follow at The Eugene Country Club. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 2010 at St. Paul Parish. Marie was born in Concord, California in 1959 to the parents of Tom and Barbara Higgins. She was raised in the Grants Pass area with two sisters, Kathleen Plourd and Maureen Rake, and a brother Tom Higgins. Marie graduated from Grants Pass High School. While in high school she was a cross country and track athlete and set many records. Marie and Rick Cumer were married in 1985 in Eugene, Oregon, where she resided. Elliot, her only son, was born in Eugene in 1995. Marie worked at Qwest, "Ma Bell" for many years until health issues forced her into long term disability. Marie donated many hours as a volunteer at St. Paul School. At one time, she could be seen at Fast Lane as a barista and even became a trainer to future baristas. In her early adult life, Marie was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a debilitating condition. Many admired her perseverance and marveled at her ability to focus on the positive despite constant challenges and being able to maintain her sense of humor. In her free time, Marie enjoyed time with family, friends and her pets, travel, reading, scrap booking, yoga, gourmet cooking, playing bunco with neighbors, and Duck games in warm weather. She was a devoted wife and mother to her son, Elliot, whom she adored. Marie took great pride in her home and was always extremely well organized including her alphabetically organized pantry. Marie's gentle spirit and optimistic attitude were infectious. She was always concerned for others and made friends with everyone she met. Marie was an inspiration to all who knew her...a hero with wings. She will always be in our hearts. She is survived by her husband, Rick Cumer and son Elliot of Eugene; her mother Barbara McCain of Grants Pass; her sisters Kathleen Plourd of Merlin and Maureen Rake of Medford; her brother Tommy Higgins of Grants Pass; and numerous nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to The Marie Cumer Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank branch for a stone bench at Alton Baker Park in her honor. Contributions may also be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 9 Lake Bellevue Dr. Suite 203, Bellevue, WA, 98005.