Metha Marie Zirkle Obituary (1972

Metha Marie Zirkle, daughter of Ron and Mary (Casper) Zirkle, of Yakima, died Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the Cottage in the Meadow. Metha was diagnosed with a brain tumor, as a child of seven. After graduation from Highland High School, she received an associate of arts degree from Yakima Valley College. She lived independently until 2014, when she was diagnosed and treated for meningiomas. At that time, she moved back home with her parents. She enjoyed going to the casino and playing the slots. While never winning anything big, she won enough to be able to play all afternoon. She also loved to play Parcheesi with family, almost always winning. She had a knack for throwing dice for exactly what she needed. Metha enjoyed wildlife, was a long-time member of the World Wildlife Fund, and had hoped one day to be able to go on a safari in Africa. Unfortunately, she was not able to do that, but she did travel to Australia, where she was able to see kangaroos, hold a koala bear, and watch the wildlife there. She visited Discovery Cove and swam with the dolphins, went to Busch Gardens and fed the giraffes, took several cruises, and traveled around the United States with her parents. She loved to bake, and especially loved making Christmas candies and gift baskets for family during the holidays. All looked forward to eating her candies. Most of all, she loved her family. Special thanks to the many doctors and nurses who cared for her over the years, particularly Dr. Kevin Michels, Northwest Eyelid and Orbital Specialist of Spokane, one of her favorites, Dr. Seth Copeland, of Family Eye Care, Yakima, Doctors Rockhill, Schrift, and Esmailli, and Nurse Karl Christie Figuracion, ARNP, at the University of Washington, Alvord Brain Tumor Center, and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and for the care she received in her last hours at Cottage in the Meadow. The staff was wonderful. Thank you. Especially to Dr. Amanda Ryder, Family Medicine, whose care, and support is greatly appreciated. A personal thank you to Judy Klundt, personal trainer, who worked with Metha over the past several years. Metha looked forward to her visits. Metha is survived by her parents, her brother, Erik, and his wife, Kimberly, and her nephew, and niece, Alex, and Jessica Zirkle, all of North Carolina. She is also survived by her aunt, Marilee Yearout, and her husband, James, of Naches, her aunt, Barbara Marquardt, of Yakima, uncle, Lyle Casper, of Tucson, Arizona, and numerous cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Floren and Dorothy (Moorehead) Zirkle, and Leo and Myra (Might) Casper, her aunt, Sharon (Zirkle) Reed and uncles, Joseph, and Michael Casper. No viewing or service is planned. Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.