Monte E. Bianchi and Marcia A. Bianchi both passed away in September 2025. Marcia on September 11 and Monte on September 15, both from unrelated respiratory infections. They were married for 68 years. Both lived with a sense of purpose, adventure, and devotion to education that touched the lives of countless students over four decades of teaching in Burlington.

Monte was born on December 26, 1932, to Julius and Christena Bianchi in Huntington Park, CA. When Monte was 12 years old, his family moved to Bellingham, WA. He attended Bellingham High School (BHS) and graduated in 1951. As a standout athlete, Monte earned 12 varsity letters in four sports at BHS, a record that remains unbroken to this day. He was heavily recruited to the Pac-9 and was offered an appointment to West Point. Monte attended the University of Southern California, where he accepted a scholarship to play football and baseball. He started as a freshman and was a member of the 1953 Rose Bowl Championship team. Monte was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, receiving several awards and decorations for his service.

Marcia was born in Bellingham, WA, on September 4, 1935, to Gilbert and Elva Marr. She graduated from Bellingham High School in 1953, where she was a cheerleader and participated in numerous clubs. Marcia attended the University of Washington and joined Pi Beta Phi sorority. She remained an active alumna for decades and proudly attended the initiations of both her daughter and granddaughter.

Monte and Marcia met while Monte was visiting his parents in Bellingham. Monte recognized Marcia, and after a conversation over coffee, they became engaged six weeks later. They married in Bellingham on August 23, 1957.

Monte taught at Burlington-Edison High School, where he coached baseball and football and taught art, industrial arts, and history. He was known as a kind, patient, and positive mentor who adored his students. Marcia taught sixth grade at Lucille Umbarger Elementary School. She looked forward to taking her classes to Camp Orkila and Washington, D.C. each year. Her warmth, joy, and enthusiasm for learning inspired her students. Both educators were beloved by their students and took great delight in teaching. Monte and Marcia were members of St. Charles Catholic Church, where they taught CCD classes for many years.

Monte and Marcia formed many special and enduring friendships with fellow teachers. They were adventurous and lifelong learners who enjoyed fishing, camping, visiting the Oregon coast, spending summers on Lummi Island, organizing ski trips to Sun Peaks, Canada, and cheering on the Seattle Mariners and the Huskies. Their greatest joy came from their five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Monte and Marcia are survived by their daughter, Monica Fery (Bruce) of Salt Lake City, and her children: Margo Perkins (Jay), Blake Fery (Malori), their sons Hank and Beau, and Paige Fery; Mark Bianchi (deceased), and his sons Monte Bianchi and David Bianchi.

The family extends special thanks to Birchview Memory Care for the love and attention given to Marcia in her final months, and to their friends and neighbors at Northridge Condominiums, Stan and Kathy Bianchi, and the Friday Fly-Fishermen club.

Throughout their careers, Monte and Marcia were deeply concerned about the welfare of all their students. They firmly believed it takes a community to set up a student for success. In this spirit, the family welcomes donations, in the Bianchi name, to Children of the Valley at https://childrenofthevalley.org/donate or COV 1318 S 18th Street, Mt. Vernon, WA 98274.

A family interment is planned at Hawthorne Memorial Park