This week we feature Marcia Coffey, a social worker who has also had oversight of the morgue for the past 24 years! These are responsibilities that have taught her valuable life lessons of respecting the dignity of others, compassion, kindness, humility, and always remembering to learn and defer to the cultural protocols of the host communities, wherever you may be. She shares her story with us.

I started working for YKHC on November 20, 2000. Armed with a master’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois School of Social Work in Champaign, Illinois, and an adventurous spirit, I moved to Bethel and have loved and cherished my time helping and serving in our community for more than two decades.

My clients and patients have become my friends and we have stood together through life’s peaks and troughs. After 24 years working full-time as a social worker and a morgue manager, I am currently transitioning to a part-time, travel-duty position and will be happy to continue to assist wherever I am needed as long as there is a need.

I have learned to face life with a sense of humor and look at the bright side of things, to look for the good and the light, especially during difficult times. I was raised on a farm with three siblings and my dad was a farmer. Dad decided to leave farming behind him and pursue school to become a medical technologist. His job took us to different places and gave us exposure and experiences that we wouldn’t have had on our farm.

For those who are new to Bethel, my advice after working and living here since 2000 is to take your lead from the people whose land this is. Just because you have your master’s degrees or all the letters after your name, they don’t mean that you know what is best for the people you serve. Listen more and talk less and don’t think that your degrees make you better than someone else as everyone you meet has something to teach you, if you are willing to listen and are open minded.

Look for opportunities to serve in our community and be creative. Respect the village communities and be humble and recognize that you are a guest. Be always mindful of the people and the culture.

I have been blessed in many ways as I have families and people throughout the region whom I have grown close to.  I have built relationships with families and it has been my honor to support them during their time of greatest need. In the process of fulfilling my role, I have gained so much and have gained perspectives that are life-changing that have come as a result of living and working in Bethel for more than 2 decades.

Always be mindful of the culture of the communities that you visit and be respectful of others who may be different from you. Remember that there is “real” time and then there is Bethel time.

 In tandem with my role as a social worker, I have also managed the morgue and along the way have been constantly reminded of how impermanent and brief life is.  Often times we get distracted by mundane things and we forget that tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Focus on the important things in life and learn to laugh and smile through your challenges. There are millions out there who have it worse than you do!

My work and experiences in Bethel have been gifts from God. I have learned to listen more and be patient, loving, and compassionate and to allow people time, privilege, and opportunities to process life’s experiences in ways that work for them.

I look forward to continuing to serve as I transition to my part-time position and will always fondly remember the people, places, and experiences this place has blessed me with!