Maureen Zacher Bockius

Maureen Zacher Bockius, 89, longtime Cathlamet resident, died on March 20, 2024 in Longview. Maureen was born in Bend,Oregon on August 5,1934 to Clarence and LaVina (Blakislie) McKinney. She graduated from Bend High School in 1952.

After her marriage to Walter Zacher and the birth of her 4 children Maureen went to work. She felt the need to be employed with her children all in school, Life took her several places before she came to Cathlamet in 1982. She was in banking when she came to Cathlamet and spent 10 more years in that profession opening a new branch as bank manager of First Federal Savings and Loan. When the bank was sold and she had an opportunity to move on Maureen became a real estate broker for Century 21 in Longview and was able to start a branch in Cathlamet. She was instrumental in the start up of a Title Company in Cathlamet. Maureen was widowed twice through the years when Walter Zacher passed and later, her second husband Jim Bockius. She spent over 50 years in her passion of volunteering. She grew to love small town life and the joy she reaped from helping so many causes.

Maureen took great pride in the numbering of every property in the county along with the Wahkiakum County Engineer, as a project for the Woman’s Club of Cathlamet in the 1980’s. This was a longtime need for the Fire Department and EMT’s.

Maureen was on the boards of many organizations over the years: The Planning Commission, The Shoreline Commission, The Board of Equalization, The Fair Board, The Library Trust Board, The St. James Family Center Board, Kiwanis Club, Sons of Norway, Women’s Club of Cathlamet, the Wahkiakum School board and a Chamber of Commerce member. She was involved in many of these organizations until her sudden passing. Maureen was happiest when she was busy, involved and knowledgeable,

She leaves behind her four children, Randall Zacher, Gene Zacher, David Zacher and Elizabeth Kinnear, 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren and many friends. She loved traveling to visit them and their visits to Cathlamet. Maureen enjoyed time in Palm Springs in the winter for several years, watching tennis and golf and playing bridge with her bridge ladies. She was an avid swimmer and supporter of the Julia Butler Hansen pool and enjoyed bowling, with a 209 average which was tops in her league.

A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday June 5th at 1p.m. at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. Arrangements are by Dowling Funeral Home of Cathlamet.