Margy Cyphers died February 24, 2014 in Bend following a year-long illness. Margy was born at Harney County Hospital on Jan. 29, 1951.  She was the third of four children born to Arthur L. (Bill) and Dixie D. Runnels of Burns. Margy attended Burns Grade School and graduated from BUHS in 1969, then attended Oregon College of Education in Monmouth for two years.  She transferred to Treasure Valley Community College where she completed nurses' training, working summers as a dispatcher.  Upon graduation she moved to Salem to work at Salem Memorial Hospital and become certified as a respiratory technician.  She then worked in this capacity at St. Charles Hospital in Bend for five years. Margy's next move was to The Dalles to work at Columbia Basin Nursing Home.  During this time she met her future husband, Dick Cyphers.  Margy and Dick were married November 26, 1983, in Dufur Methodist Church. Dick and Margy then lived in Portland for two years, where Dick completed his education.  This period was especially meaningful to Margy as she was able to spend time with her beloved sister, Marcy Selid and Marcy's husband Mark and two children.  The Cypherses returned to The Dalles in 1988.  In 1995 they welcomed their son, Peter. In 1997, the family relocated to Burns to be nearer Margy's parents (Peter's loving Grandparents, Bill and Dixie).  Margy spent the rest of her working life at Harney District Hospital and High Desert Medical Center, where her skills and compassionate care were highly regarded. Since 2012, Margy suffered from respiratory illness, which became worse when she and Peter were on a church mission in Mexico. Margy grew up in First (Faith) Baptist Church in Burns, where she accepted Jesus as her savior.  She spent her life serving a caring for others.  She loved planting flowers, reading, doing latchhook and embroidery, and going to garage sales.  She especially enjoyed the Runnels' annual family trips, including to Yellowstone Park, the Wallowas, the Oregon coast, and an Alaskan cruise. Margy was preceded in death by her brother, Steve (1970); sister, Marcy (1991); father, Bill (2007) and brother-in-law, Mark Selid (2011).  She is survived by her husband, Dick; Son, Peter; Mother, Dixie; Brother, Dick and his wife Dawna of Nyssa; stepchildren: Ryan Cyphers and Mandy Cyphers and many nephews, nieces and cousins. The family expresses special gratitude to Margy's cousins who helped so much during the past year of her illness: Jo Katagi of Vancouver, B.C., and Charles and Judi Bailey of Vancouver, Wa.

Harney County Home Health & Hospice

Harney County Senior Citizen Center

Faith Baptist Church