Obituary
Marcia A. Williams, 76, of North Port, passed away peacefully on
July 18 after a battle with cancer. In addition to her parents, William and
Helen, she was preceded by her beloved brother, Lee. She is survived by sister-in-law
Cindy Williams of Venice, as well as her niece Amy Hughart (Bradford) of
Philadelphia, PA, and their adult children Dean and Olivia; nephew Matthew
(Cindy) of Niskayuna, NY; and niece Jeanne, of Salt Lake City, UT.
Raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Marcia was an avid tennis player and
enthusiast from high school through her years at Russell Sage College in Troy,
NY, where she double majored in Biology and Chemistry. After graduation, she
worked for a number of years as a biologist at the Shriver Center in Boston.
Following that, she was a clinical software development manager and CSM for
Optimed and then MEDecision in the Boston area before retiring and relocating
to Florida.
In 2015, her passion for technology led her to join the Friends of
Shannon Staub Public Library to fundraise and build a new public library
alongside the new Suncoast Technical College and conference center in North
Port. She dedicated enormous time, energy, and volunteer hours to seeing the
library come to fruition and to ensuring its continued success with special
events, fundraisers, and other community outreach. FOSSPL and its growing base
of donors remain committed to supporting underfunded programs and gaps in
technology for the library and community. For her dedication and community
service, Marcia was recognized with a VEN Woman of the Year Award in 2016 by
SunCoast Media.
Marcia has been a long-time supporter of the ASPCA and loved her
four-legged friends. She doted on her beloved rescue dog Cassie and lovingly
cared for neighbors’ dogs when they went on vacation. She kept dog treats and
toys at the ready for any who came to visit. Marcia was also a dedicated and
active board member of the North Port Democratic Club and was passionate about
advancing democratic ideals and positive change. She was also a lifelong fan of
the New England Patriots.
Marcia will be remembered for her kind heart, passion for causes,
and her humble and quiet way. We will miss her. A celebration of her life will
be held this fall, date to be determined. In the meantime, please
consider giving in her name to one or both of her favorite causes, the Friends
of Shannon Staub Public Library, P.O. Box 7403, North Port, Florida, 34290 and
at https://www.friendsofsspl.org/ or
the ASPCA at https://www.aspca.org/
Condolences to her family and many friends.
Carol and Arthur McCarron
Judy and Tom Renihan
Judy and Tom Renihan
Roxanne, Sam and Oxana
Diane Steve and Katie will miss her terribly
She is at peace now. No more hurting her dog Cassie will meet her in paradise
I met Marcia when I moved to North Port about 7 years ago. I knew I had found a new friend when I saw her walking her dog, Cassie, and mingling with our resident Sandhill Cranes.
Marcia recruited me to join the Friends of Shannon Staub Public Library (FOSSPL) and I was instantly engulfed with a bevy of new Friends that yearned to be part of our new community. Many of these people are still some of my closest and dearest friends. But by far, Marcia is my closest.
All of us will miss Marcia's gentle smile and her humble and unassuming demeanor who never wanted to bother anyone. But she continually gave her heart and soul to a growing circle of friends and neighbors and to variety of causes.
She struggled mightily to fight off the cancer that ravaged her body for many years. She stoically suffered with the pain and the side effects of the medicines. She was acutely aware of her condition and the unyielding march of the cancer. Through it all, she self-directed her care and made difficult decisions as the cancer marched on.
I am in awe of her and how she chose to address her cancer until the end of her life. She was courageous and determined to face death on her own terms. Rest in peace, Marcia….I know you are happier and free of pain, reunited with your parents and your brother and the many, many dogs that you owned and cared for throughout your life….I am sure they were all waiting to greet you. I will love and miss you always….
Betty and Frank Teramo
Marcia you are missed
David Williams