FOR SUNDAY TELEGRAM - SPINK W/PHOTO
EAST BRROKFIELD: Marcia L. Spink, Philadelphia, PA passed away on September 27, 2018 after a long illness. She leaves her brother Timothy H. Spink, of East Brookfield, MA, sister Karen G. Lock, her niece and Godchild, Meredith G. Lock of Kingston, MA, her Aunts Conee Rogers of Haverhill, MA and Eleanor Cebula of Ware, MA and many loving cousins and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Marion (Ficociello) Spink.
Marica grew up in East Brookfield, MA. She was a graduate of David Prouty High School and Salem State University. She taught math and science at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn and in Ghana West Africa while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon returning from Ghana, Marica began her thirty-six year career with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where she rose to become the Associate Director for Policy & Science of the Air Management Program in EPA’s Philadelphia Regional Office, which she found fulfilling. Marica retired in April 2014.
An avid traveler, in addition to her years spent in West Africa, Marica visited many European capitals and in 1988 she traveled to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China accompanied by her longtime friend, Mary (Fothergill) Dusoe. Marica vacationed the last years of her life in Positano, Italy of the Amalfi Coast where she made many friends. Marica loved the life she led. Her many close friends throughout her career and into her retirement include David Arnold, Harold Frankford, Chris Pilla, Francesca DiCosmo, Diana Esher, Neil Bigioni, Cristina Fernandez, and Bill Baker.
Marcia valued her family and many dear friends. She described her sister Karen as the finest person she ever met and her best friend. She appreciated the love and care that Karen and her niece Meredith, in additions to her cousins Linda Spink and Becky Carroll, Dr. Pamela Lucchesi and Linda Bradley, Vincent and Crystal Lucchesi, Kelly Spencer, Kathy Keefe, Maureen Perkins and Jill Gravel as well as her friends Wayne Giuliano and Michael Curran, Dr. Ken and Janice Yelland, Mary Fothergill and Lee Dusoe, Karen and Art Cook, Dennis Skerry and Tricia Gordon, Robert and Elizabeth Simeone, James Conee Schnepf, Marilyn and John Vertin and Jackie White devoted to her during her lifetime and throughout illness. She particularly considered herself blessed to have had the comfort and support of her friends Dr. N Patrick Hennessey, Ray Francese, and Dr. J. Paul and Gail Lock and that of their children and grandchildren all of whom she considered family.
In addition to enjoying her work and travel, Marica followed all New England sports teams with fervor, especially the Patriots, Marcia loved animals and shared her home with her cats Bella, Tesse, and Dolce who brought her great joy and companionship. She was well-known in Philadelphia’s culinary scene and considered Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Jason Cichonski kind and generous friends. She was grateful for the friendships of Nancy McComas, Gale Audette and Jason and Karen Jacobus Prouty who re-entered her life to support her in her final years. Marica was deeply grateful for the care she received for Drs. Raza Ahmad, Raymond Fabrizio, Benjamin Hammelman, and Marrouf Hoteit as well as the nurses, and techs from Pennsylvania Hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, DaVita Dialysis and especially Carla Clark, and staff at WISSAHICKON Hospice. For those who wish to do may make donations to Second Chance Animal Services, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515.
A funeral Mass for Marcia will be held on Friday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, No.Brookfield Rd., E.Brookfield. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Ware. Calling hours are Thursday, Oct. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the J.HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer.