Marcy Lund died peacefully in her home on March 5, 2008. She was 61 years old and had lived on Orcas Island for more than 35 years.

Marcy was born in Seattle on Jan. 8, 1947 to Ann and Robert Lund. She grew up in Medina, Washington and her family soon planted her “Orcas roots” with summer vacations on the island. She graduated from Western Washington State College in Bellingham in 1969 with a degree in English Literature and worked the next summer at Rosario with her friend Mary Magnuson. The two set off for Europe the following January and backpacked through France together. Marcy continued on independently to Greece, and journeyed to Norway with her mother to explore family history.

After almost a year of working at an experimental school in Scotland, she returned to the Northwest and soon Orcas called her home. She worked as a reporter for the Island Record, as a salesperson at Darvill’s Bookstore, spun wool, made ceramic tiles and helped run a farm. In 1981, an opportunity to “start a little café” at the Olga Artworks presented itself. And the rest, as they say, is history. Partnering with Edith Thomsen for a short time and then on her own, Marcy created one of the most successful “institutions” on the island—“The Café Olga.” For 22 years she shepherded a flock of cooks and wait people that welcomed islanders and visitors with open arms and world famous blackberry pie.

Through the years, Marcy made many contributions to her beloved Orcas. She worked with The Madrona Point Committee to save that sacred land and went on to serve several years on the San Juan County Land Bank, ensuring that our island’s character and lands were preserved. She volunteered in the PIP program at the elementary school and contributed to many other community efforts. She was a member of the Madrona Club for 19 years.

In 2001 Marcy received her Masters Degree in family systems from the LIOS program and then interned with North Islands Counseling in Friday Harbor. In 2003 she retired from the restaurant business and married Larry Parker. She was never happier than in her final years with Larry on “the most beautiful land on the island.” During that time she nourished her friends with flowers at the farm stand on Pt. Lawrence Road, helped with the sheep, entertained old friends and cultivated new ones, and photographed the seasons. She loved trips to Victoria, and of course, good food.

Marcy is survived by her husband Larry Parker, sister Nancy Lund, nephew Scott Matson and his wife Wendy and son Cody, goddess daughter Lily Xiaowen Sky, a large extended family and an island (and beyond) full of dear friends.

Marcy’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service at The Orcas Center, Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m. The community is asked to bring a flower and your stories to share. Please make memorial contributions to the Madrona Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 361, Eastsound WA 98245.

. A website, marcylund.net, has been set up to share pictures, memories and thoughts.

Obituary submitted by Penny Sharp Sky.