Marcia Adele Price

Marcia Adele Price, 70, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 7, 2021. She was born August 19, 1950 to Marty and Agnes Martin, of Homestead, Pennsylvania. The fourth of six children, she would frequently take pride in telling others she was her father’s favorite. Marcia’s heart and soul were all about her roots in Pittsburgh. She graduated from Munhall High School and went on to study Education at West Virginia Wesleyan University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts, continuing her education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Master of Arts in Education. She married Danny Price, the love of her life, in 1971 and they had 3 children who were Marcia’s great pride and joy: Dana (1974), Charlie (1980), and Michael (1981).

Marcia was a born-teacher, and it was in the classroom that she found her true calling. For 36 years she shared her passion in the elementary classrooms at Barrett Elementary in Homestead, PA. Her life’s work was meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of her students with whom she relished sharing her warmth and joy on a daily basis. In 2007, Marcia retired from public school teaching in Pittsburgh and moved to San Antonio to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Unable to stay away from the classroom, she frequently served as a substitute teacher in a variety of the local districts in SA.

Marcia was an optimist who always saw the glass as half-full, but the word most often used to describe her is- Joy. She spread joy wherever and whenever she could, and was always a joy to be around. Marcia will be forever known for the smiles, laughter, and heartfelt compassion that she shared with all who crossed her path.

She had a passion for football, especially her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. She cherished many wonderful memories while donning her #16 Charlie Batch jersey, a former 4th-grade student of hers. She loved watching the games and enthusiastically cheering on her team. Most of all, she loved traveling with a group who called themselves the “Destinators,” and traveled together to destination Steeler games all throughout the country. Friends and family would repeatedly ask her the question, “Marcia, where are you from?” to which they were treated to a rendition of the old Steeler Fight song where she would proudly and loudly serenade a response that began, “We’re from the town with the great football team. . .”

Marcia embraced the 1,500 mile move from her home of 57 years, making new friends and doubling down on her commitment to her family near and far. She went out of her way to maintain family connections and to celebrate her Slovak heritage through her cooking and holiday traditions. She was a guiding force, organizing the most memorable family reunions which her loved-ones cherished, creating games like “Martin Family Trivia” or “Name That Slovak Term.”

Known as “YaYa” to those closest, Marcia’s greatest pleasure came from time spent with family. Her move to Texas afforded her the opportunity to be closer and more involved in the lives of her “boys” in Dallas, and her daughter’s family in San Antonio. In her final years, Marcia shared a home with Dana and Collier, her “favorite son-in-law,” and their family, allowing her a special opportunity to be involved in their daily lives. Marcia would host family dinners, help with homework, stand-in as a “virtual” elementary teacher, shuttle grandkids to practices, host sleep-overs, and offer a place of safe-haven for her four grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored.

Marcia was strong in her faith. She loved the Catholic Church in which she was raised, as well as her adopted Methodist and Episcopal churches in San Antonio and enjoyed many summers supporting VBS efforts for the children’s programs. Among the greatest blessings of her life was the second chance conferred by an anonymous organ donor on All Saints Day in 2006, whose gift allowed Marcia to spread her joy for another 4 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin R Martin and Agnes Paha Martin; and her beloved brother and sister, Reges Martin and Marguerite Hayes; her nephew Paul Martin Rao; and her husband of many years, Michael Daniel Price. She is survived by her daughter, Dana Price Bashara and her husband Grady Collier Bashara, and their four children, Sadie Mae Bashara, Ainslie Collier Bashara, Addison Lucille Bashara, and Grady Thomas Bashara; her two sons, Charles Joseph Price and Michael Martin Price, both of Dallas; as well as her two sisters, Marilyn Leonardo and Martina Rao; her brother, Robert Martin; and her loving sisters-in-laws, Karen Martin and Mary Ellen Martin.

She loved passionately and unconditionally, was loved by many, and leaves a legacy of joy. In her own words, that she’d share often with those close to her, “There’s no one like you, Marcia Price! We love you the most!”

A Memorial Service will be held outdoors and is open to all family and friends on Friday, February 12th at 1:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers and in celebration of Marcia’s lifelong commitment to education, donations can be made to the Alamo Heights School Foundation (www.ahschoolfoundation.com) in her honor.