Mary Elvira Marco

Mrs. Marco was an accomplished pianist and singer. Formerly of Baum Blvd. in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Taylor-Allderdice High School. While in High School she entertained regularly at the USO Canteen and Variety Club in downtown Pittsburgh during World War II. Also she was chosen as an accompanist by Robert Shaw, conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, for a concert he conducted in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Marco was cited by the USO as a "tremendous morale booster of our servicemen," and was guest of honor at various military functions. She attended Carnegie Tech on a music scholarship and then went to New York to study and perform in operas and recitals, as well as solo and ensemble appearances in the pop field. Mrs. Marco was an NBC staff artist and sang on "Cameos of Music" a coast-to-coast program. In addition, she judged singers for various opera productions at the Metropolitan Opera House and was a guest singer at Carnegie Hall both in New York City.

Later she moved to Levittown/Bristol area where she started the first opera workshop; and was a substitute music teacher for instrumental/vocal classes in the Pennsbury School District. Mrs. Marco was employed by the IRS for 10 years in the Philadelphia area, first with the EEO Office and later in a facilities branch. During those years she received six awards for outstanding achievement. Music remained her first love; Mrs. Marco taught luminaries including Frank Stallone. For over 20 years she held annual recitals at William Penn Jr. High School in Fairless Hills. Each year brought larger audiences because of the versatility of the programs: from beginning piano students to highly advanced piano duets, comedy skits and opera scenes by voice students.

For the past three years, Mrs. Marco resided at Friends Home and Village in Newtown. This changed her life and the residents' at Friends. She brought joy, music, and happiness with her musical productions that would seem like a big night out on the town to her fellow residents. Musical themes would include changing of the seasons, old movie songs, sports, and name that tune. She developed close friendships with everyone and especially Nancy, Bobby, and Norman.

Last, but certainly not least, Mrs. Marco was an avid scrabble player who frequently won tournaments.

Mrs. Marco is predeceased by her husband, Louis; parents, Augustine and Mary Garcia; brothers, Rick (Linda) and Dave Garcia (Ruby); and granddaughter, Michelle "Shelly" Thomas.

She is the devoted mother of Mary Christina "Tina" Stashko (Tom) of Emmaus, PA, Dominic "Nick" Marco (Christine) of Langhorne, PA, and Frank Marco (Peggy), VMD, of Los Angeles, CA. She will also be sadly missed by seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and three nieces and three nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 12:00 until 1:00 pm at the Lamb Funeral Home, 101 Byberry Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Feasterville.

There are no calling hours at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., Levittown, PA.

Memorial contributions appreciated to the Salvation Army, PO Box 824, Levittown, PA 19058.