Marcia Mary Gustamachio

Marcia was born to the late Joseph George Ambrose and Margaret Mary (Murray) Ambrose in Mt. Carmel, PA before the Ambrose family settled in Springfield, MA.

Marcia graduated from: Springfield Technical School in 1953, Springfield School of Nursing as an RN in 1956, and earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Manchester Community College in 1973.

Mrs. Gustamachio was employed by Springfield and Mt. Sinai Hospitals, and later Manchester Community College as Director of Health. She retired in 2006.

After Marcia and Donald were married in 1956, they settled in East Hartford where they worked and participated in the community, raised their children and attended St. Christopher’s Church.

Marcia was a quick-witted woman with a loving and intellectual character who used her cache of knowledge to win family holiday games or during quiet personal conversations. She enjoyed her time with family and friends and absolutely loved working in healthcare.

Marcia also appreciated the arts, was an avid reader and could complete the NYT crossword using pen. She loved tennis, gardening and music, cooking for her family and walking on the beach. She was an accomplished pianist and generous supporter when there was a cause she felt could aid the greater good.

Marcia and Donald were married for 66 years.

She will be remembered most for her wonderful sense of humor, devotion to her husband Donald and their family – and her 45 years of service to strangers; where every day Marcia brought comfort to the sick, assisted in the delivery of new life, and acted as wise council to college students away from home.

In addition to her husband Donald, she is survived and will be dearly missed by, her son David Gustamachio and his partner Robin Gregory of Coventry, CT, and her son Stephen Gustamachio and his wife Carol Gustamachio of Georgia.

She will be sorely missed by both of her sisters: Mike (Margaret) Ashe and Skipper (Maureen) Reagan as well as, her granddaughter Leah Gustamachio, and Robin’s daughters Abbey Oliver and Becka Nordstrom and their husbands Jake and Andrew. She acted as surrogate great grandma to both Abbey’s children Maddie and Judah Oliver who will miss her too.

As well, Marcia had memories with many nieces and nephews from both extended families on the Gustamachio and Ambrose side – each, having a special place in Marcia’s heart.

Family and friends are invited to 11:00 mass in Marcia’s memory on January 21, 2023 at St. Christopher Church 538 Brewer Street East Hartford. A private family gathering to celebrate her life will immediately follow.

For directions, sharing a memory or online tributes, please visit www.desopoeh.com