Marsha Deanne Wilson, who worked nearly 20 years as a teller and customer service representative at the Haines branch of First National Bank of Alaska, died at the home of her daughter in Petal, Miss. on Aug. 15, 2022.

She was 73 and suffering from cancer.

Wilson was born Feb. 9, 1949 in Medford, Ore. to Dean and Beverly Wilson, who moved to Haines in the early 1990s.

Sister Krista Lampkins of Haines said Wilson attended McMinnville College and Southern Oregon University and returned to school after the birth of her two children, earning a teaching degree with a special education certification.

Wilson taught in Oregon schools for about 15 years before moving to Haines in 1995 to join her parents while raising two children as a single parent. She taught for one year in Haines and worked at the Hotel Halsingland before hiring on at the local bank, where she worked until 2017.

"People commented on how nice she was when she worked here. I still get called Marsha by some people," said Lampkins, who works as the local bank's operations supervisor. Bank officials in Anchorage bent company policy to allow the two sisters to work at the same branch, Lampkins said.

Wilson enjoyed beading and her hand-crafted earrings and decorated eggs sold in a downtown gift shop. She was an avid gardener who raised flowers and vegetables, family members said this week.

Son Anthony Wilson of Haines said his mom got to know people through her job. "Everybody knew her but she didn't really hang out with people."

Daughter Sara Robin of Mississippi said her mom enjoyed ice cream and cheesecake, reading thrillers and mystery novels, watching TV shows NCIS and Tanked, and veterinary shows.

"She was loving, kind, sarcastic, funny, hard-headed, and very, very strong. Above all, she loved spending time with family," Robin said.

Wilson is survived by daughter Sara Robin of Petal, Miss., by son Anthony Wilson of Haines, by sisters Krista Lampkins of Haines and Elaine Ledbetter of Central Point, Ore., and by grandchildren Kaylah and Connor of Mississippi.

Wilson considered Haines her home and her family is requesting donations in lieu of flowers or gifts to help pay to transport her remains to Haines, and for remaining medical and personal debts.

Donated funds in excess of costs will be donated to Worthy Stables therapy horse barn in Wilson's name. To help, contact family members or send checks or money orders to daughter Sara Robin, 105 Robin Hood Dr., Petal, Miss. 39465.