Marie Astrid Zarfas-Smith

Marie Zarfas Smith passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025 in her home at Capital Manor, Salem, Oregon at the age of 89. She was very much looking forward to meeting her Lord in heaven and being reunited with so many loved ones who had passed before.

A celebration of Marie's life will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Bethany Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon at 2:00 PM.

Throughout her life Marie was devoted to her two husbands, her family, her friends, her many “college kids”, and her work family as well. Her unshakable faith sustained her through the very difficult loss of both her husbands, one early in life and one later, with the grace, peace, and perseverance that only God can provide. She was a dedicated employee, fiercely loyal to her bosses, all of whom became dear friends. She felt it was her job to do everything she could to help them succeed in their positions. She took great pride in her work, always striving to do an excellent job, but she always preferred to remain in the background, making sure everything was done well, but never seeking attention. When recognition or appreciation came her way, she would give credit to her staff or volunteers. Marie Zarfas Smith will be remembered for her devotion to her family and friends, her work, and to the many students and church friends she mentored and helped behind the scenes. Her legacy lives on through her family and those lives she touched in so many ways. She will be deeply missed, but we are very happy for her new, perfect life in heaven with her Savior.

Marie was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 15, 1935. She, and her brothers, Bruce & Arlo, had a challenging, but good childhood growing up in Tacoma. Their mother left the family while Marie was in early elementary school, and her father was a logger and a fisherman, usually coming home only on the weekends. She and her brothers mainly took care of themselves, often living with other friends and family members in the area. They always tried to stay together and do well in school so as not to attract attention from any authorities. Marie graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma in 1953. She then took classes at Knapps Business College, Tacoma, and Tacoma Bible Institute, while also working nearly full-time.

It was during her school years that Marie and her brothers began attending church at the Adams Street Chapel. She said it was because they thought it might help them stay out of trouble, and they had a lot of potlucks! It was here that she accepted Jesus as her personal savior and that decision changed the course of her life forever. She later joined Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma.

In 1957 Marie moved to El Cerrito, California to accept the job as Secretary for President H.O. Van Gilder at Western Baptist Bible College. She had met Dr. Van Gilder at a church camp earlier that summer.

It was at Western Baptist that she met and fell in love with G. Nelson Zarfas and they married March 14, 1959. They soon had a son, Nelson Taylor, born in late December, who was their only child. Marie then went to work in the business world to earn money to help her husband finish college and then attend seminary in San Francisco. Upon seminary graduation in 1966, Nelson accepted a job as Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, San Pablo, California which was a perfect fit for them.

In 1969, Nelson accepted a new position as a Professor of Pastoral Education at Western Baptist Bible College (now Corban University) and the family moved to Salem, Oregon where the college which had just purchased a new campus.

Marie loved the years when her husband was a professor at the college. They were devoted to family and friends and their home was frequently filled with college students whom they had “adopted”. They both made a huge impact in the lives of many students. After 4 wonderful years as a professor, Nelson was diagnosed with cancer, and he died in the fall of 1973. Marie stayed by his side almost constantly during his last few months whether at home or in the hospital. After his death, Marie again went to work at Western Baptist College and became the Secretary for President Dr. Thomas Younger. She and her son, Nelson, joined Bethany Baptist Church of Salem, knowing that friends from the church and the college would become her family and support system – and they certainly did.

She poured herself into her work and remained committed to serving the students, particularly many young women whom she employed and mentored. Some even came to live in her home for a few months or a year. She loved to sew wedding dresses, and she coordinated many weddings during these years. She continued as President Younger’s Secretary but also served in a variety of other administrative and Director positions. One of her notable accomplishments was starting the Admissions department and becoming the first Director of Admissions. In this role she made it her goal to meet with every incoming freshman in their homes all over the West Coast. She travelled extensively during those years and spoke at many women’s retreats and banquets. She represented the college very well in all these roles.

Once her son had graduated and married, Marie allowed herself to consider moving on to a new career. In 1986 she accepted a position as Administrative Assistant to Senior Pastor Dr. Don Bubna at Salem Alliance Church. She loved her career at Salem Alliance, excelling in administration. In appreciation of her work, the Christian & Missionary Alliance District recognized her as a Licensed Minister of Administration – one of the first women to be so recognized by that denomination.

While working at Salem Alliance, Marie became friends with Ron & Mary Lou Smith. In 1989, Mary Lou passed away from cancer. Later, Marie and Ron’s friendship began to grow and they fell in love, marrying in March, 1990. Ron served as the Executive Pastor of the church until 1992 when Ron & Marie retired together and literally “sailed off into the sunset”. They bought a 34’ sailboat called Seascape and enjoyed adventures sailing in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. They also remained active leaders at Salem Alliance Church during their early retirement years.

Unfortunately, around 1998 health concerns began for both Ron and Marie. Ron was eventually diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, and Marie with chronic arthritis pain throughout most of her joints. Marie again turned her attention to caring for her husband, first at home, and then for a few years in Memory Care until Ron passed away in 2009.

Marie continued living on her own in a condo in the Battle Creek area of South Salem until January, 2012 when the entire area around her condo was flooded by rising creek waters. It was then she made the decision to move to a Villa at Capital Manor in West Salem. She enjoyed her independent living (and shopping) until December, 2015 when she suffered a serious heart attack. After she recovered, she moved into the main tower at Capital Manor. Over the next few years her health and independence slowly declined and dementia crept in. In 2020 she was moved to Capital Manor’s new Memory Care unit where she lived contentedly and peacefully until her final days.

Marie is survived by her son, Nelson (Ellen) Zarfas; her grandchildren, Michelle (Devin) Doring, Robert (Lyndsey) Zarfas, and Colleen (Kevin) Fox; and her six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband G. Nelson Zarfas, her second husband Ronald E. Smith, and her brothers Arlo Louvrak, and Bruce Louvrak.