Marcia Smith Fuller

Marcia Smith Fuller was born on March 5,1943 at home in North Yarmouth, Maine, the second child of Hermon & Phyllis Smith.  She graduated from Greely Institute in 1961 having met the love of her life, Joel, as a freshmen in 1958. Marcia liked to say it was Joel’s 1957 Chevrolet that first caught her eye, though Joel always insisted their story truly began on a class paper drive, riding on the back of an open truck when he lent her his sweater. Later that afternoon, Joel took her to pick up his mother from work with Marcia still wearing his sweater. From that moment on, she was part of the family. They went on to share 62 years of marriage filled with devotion, laughter, and countless drives along Maine’s back roads.

Marcia worked for New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for eight years having started there while still in high school. She left with the birth of their son Gregory. Three years later they welcomed their daughter, Elaine.  Marcia devoted herself to raising her children while also becoming an exceptional home baker, well known for her breads, donuts, pies, and pizza. She was never idle, finding joy in sewing, knitting, gardening, and later quilting and scrapbooking, where she carefully preserved her family genealogy.

 In 1981, Marcia began volunteering with MSAD #51, teaching cursive writing. What began as volunteering soon became a career, and Marcia worked as an Ed Tech for the next 21 years. She loved the children she worked with and held special fondness for the teachers she supported, especially Kay Blanchard and Donna Carney (Erickson). When her grandchildren arrived, Marcia retired to become a doting grandmother, joyfully passing along her love of crafting and cooking. She often joked with her grandchildren that they should, “Open a Donut and Pizza Stop at the end of the road.”

In her later years, Marcia faced multiple myeloma, cardiac issues and dementia. Her devoted husband became her primary caregiver, taking her on long daily rides and always stopping at favorite places like Tony’s Donuts on Thursdays or Grant’s Bakery for Salmon Pie on Fridays.  Marcia had a heart of gold and will be remembered for her warm heart, kindness to all, infectious laugh, and just the right touch of spiciness that made her unforgettable. 

Marcia is predeceased by her parents, Phyllis and Herman Smith of North Yarmouth.  She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Joel; sisters Janice Woodcock and Sharon Gregor (and husband Ron); son Gregory Fuller (and wife Cara); daughter Elaine Moore-DesPres (and husband Andy); grandchildren Sierra Smith, Cole Moore, Isaac Moore, Lucas DesPres, Emily Fuller, Megan Fuller, and Jessica Lipkvich; and her cherished great-grandson, Owen Lipkvich. 

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional care Marcia received at New England Cancer Specialists and to the nurses at Maine Medical Center, whose compassion and dedication provided the very best care a family could ever ask for. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 7th, from 1–3 p.m. at the North Yarmouth Congregational Church.

Flower Deliveries should get directly to the Church. 

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