Page created by: Wendy Barnes

Nov 4, 1945 - Oct 29, 2023
Marsha “Marti” Stonecipher Nice passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday evening, Oct. 29th, after a long health battle that culminated in a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in July. She touched many lives - that of her family, their friends, and hundreds of school children - with her endless warmth, giving spirit, and beautiful smile.

Marti was born in Burbank, CA in 1945, graduated from John Burroughs High School in 1963, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 1967. Marti met her future husband, Michael “Mike”, in 1968 while she was completing her teaching credential at SDSU and he was finishing his enlistment in the Marine Corp, while stationed at USMC in San Diego, following his service in Vietnam. Marti spent her first year teaching in Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District before moving to the Bay Area to be near Mike. Marti and Mike were married in 1971 and had their daughter Wendy Erin in 1977. Marti was a teacher for the Sunnyvale Elementary School District for 36 years, where she taught, cared for, and impacted the lives of more than one thousand children in first through fourth grades.

Upon retiring from teaching, Marti and Mike spent countless hours with their grandchildren, daughter, and son-in-law, where they all live in the Bay Area. Marti volunteered at Filoli Historic House and Garden, inspired by the many field trips she took there with her classes. Marti also became an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority of educators who raise funds for the support of educational programs and community organizations.

An adventurous spirit, Marti traveled and explored the world with family and friends. Among those adventures were scuba diving at some of the world’s best reefs, multiple African safaris, many Alaskan fishing trips, many calligraphy retreats in Oregon, and tours throughout Europe, Hong Kong and Macau. There were also many trips throughout her entire life to Disneyland, where her father worked on the construction of the park and resort resulting in Marti and her brother, Carl, attending opening day in 1955. In particular, Marti and her family created many wonderful memories in the Hawaiian Islands where she spent precious time with family and friends including her daughter’s wedding in 2002.

Marti is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Mike, their only child Wendy Nice Barnes, son-in-law, Beau Barnes and grandchildren, Brayden Gordon and Olivia Erin Barnes. She is also survived by her brother, Carl and sister-in-law, Marge Stonecipher of Rapid City, SD and loving niece and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Cora Lee Stonecipher. Marti was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother “Nonny”, daughter, sister, sister-in-law and aunt. Marti’s generous, loving spirit will be missed beyond measure by all who knew her.

In memory of Marti, please help increase the research in Parkinson's to find a cure for this complicated neuro disease.