Irene Marcia

Irene Francis Wilkas Marcia, dearly beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, (November 13, 1930 – May 22,2021) and August Edward Marcia Jr., (November 18, 1926 – June 28, 2021), dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and US Navy Veteran.

Irene and Edward were the loves of one another’s lives and were married on November 8, 1952, enjoying sixty-nine years together in a marriage filled with love and respect.

Irene was predeceased by parents Catherine Pitkin Wilkas, Matthew Francis Wilkas, and brother John Matthew Wilkas, and is survived by sister, Grace Wilkas Rathbun.

Edward was predeceased by parents Madeline Jerardi Marcia, August Edward Marcia Sr., and sister, Marion Marcia Laser. Ed and Irene are survived by their three children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mom and Dad met at a dance in Hartford, Connecticut. Their love story began and continued with Dad telling the story that he saw Mom and said: “I’m going to marry that girl”. Together Mom and Dad made the heart of the family, and raised three children including Christine Elizabeth Marcia Ryan (Michael Jay Ryan) of Connecticut; Suzanne Mary Marcia Nilson (Ralph Andrew Nilson) of British Columbia, Canada; and Peter Edward Marcia (Kimberly Ann Marcia) of Virginia.

The family continued to grow with the joyful news of their grandchildren including Kirsten Marcia Cahill and Kelly Marcia Montano (Chris and Mike Ryan); Bethany Marcia O’Krancy and Anna Marie Laidlaw (Suzanne and Ralph Nilson) and Mackenzie Anne Boyd, Lilli Anne Marcia, and Benjamin August Marcia (Peter and Kimberly Marcia). Joyfully, great-grandchildren followed including Mackenzie Ryan Cahill (Kirsten and Brendan Cahill) of Connecticut; Matthew Sebastian Montano and Tucker Charles Montano

(Kelly and Matthew Montano) of Connecticut; Lucy Marie Marcia O’Krancy (Bethany and Dave O’Krancy) of Saskatchewan, Canada and Jack Ralph Laidlaw, Scott Ronald Laidlaw and Tommy Edward Laidlaw (Anna Marie and Richard Laidlaw) of Ontario, Canada.

In earlier years, at 17 years of age, Dad signed up for the Navy, contributing as a sonar specialist in submarines during World War II, followed by service during the Korean Conflict and he also served in the Navy Reserves. When Dad returned from his service as a Navy veteran, he and mom married, and their busy family life began. During this time, Dad also developed a successful career in warehouse management where some of his on-the-job stories are highly respected in the family. While working in the field of warehouse management, dad also earned University credits by studying electronics at the Ward School of Electronics, now part of the University of Hartford, where he is an alumnus. After raising their family in West Hartford, Connecticut, Mom, and Dad moved to Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod (the place of their honeymoon). Mom achieved her Certificate in Textile Arts at Pine Manor College, later teaching needlework skills to students in their home where she successfully opened a needlepoint and gift shop, the Stitchery, on 179 Main Street. Mom and Dad also opened a Bed and Breakfast in their home, which welcomed tourists from all over the world.

Dad entered a second career in real estate, and remained active in real estate until his retirement. During this time, Dad and Mom moved to The Mews in Sandwich, where Dad made a twelve-year contribution to the Mews community by sitting on the Condo Board and accepting the board position responsible for managing the condo grounds and buildings, with mom by his side helping in all ways possible. Mom and Dad remained at the Mews, which they considered to be the perfect place to live.

Mom and Dad spent time travelling to visit family in different parts of North America and Europe. They both showed their family the importance of love and caring for family, contributing to community, and caring for and helping neighbors, friends, and others. Dad enjoyed participating in educational opportunities offered at the Sandwich Police and Fire departments, and often volunteered his services at community events in Sandwich. Dad often expressed his deep appreciation and respect for the women and men serving in the police and fire department, as well as those serving in the military. Dad and Mom attended Corpus Christi church in East Sandwich, where they participated in serving communion, and collection of donations. Mom and Dad also enjoyed the fellowship of the ‘coffee group’.

Mom and Dad remain “Forever Together” at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, where veterans and their spouses are honored for military service. Dear Mom and Dad, we love you and miss you beyond measure. The love, stories, and lessons you taught us all will be carried forward, and remembered with love forever.

A memorial service will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on September 30, 2022 at 2:30 pm. Irene and Edward’s family invites friends and family to make memorial contributions to their favorite community organization that serves to help others in need.