Marcia A. Cole

January 1940 saw the birth of Marcia Lee Allen to Edwin Joseph Allen and Margaret Louise Allen of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Her father, a graduate of Texas A&M and MIT, was an engineer and inventor with General Electric. His lightning arrester adorned the roofs of millions of homes from the 1940's through the 1970's.

Marcia's mother was a widely and liberally educated woman, who imparted that love of learning to her only daughter.

An accomplished pianist, flutist, and harpsichordist, Marcia flourished personally and academically at Pittsfield High School and at the Boston Symphony's Tanglewood in nearby Lenox, Massachusetts. She cherished the many social, cultural, and sporting events of her native Berkshire County, which she recounted with pleasure throughout her life.

Always motivated by public service, in 1963 she put her bachelor's and master's degrees from Cornell University and Columbia University to good use as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, where she was a teacher. Upon her return to the United States, she established herself as a leader in the emerging field of Special Education, specifically serving children with Down Syndrome in New York City. In 1978, she married New York native Lawrence Joseph ("Larry") Cole, who was a devoted husband, as well as a kindly step-father to her son, Daniel.

In 1984, she and Larry moved to a lake house in Lebanon, Maine, where Marcia had spent many wonderful summers as a girl. She continued to focus her work in the field of early childhood education.

In 2006, a few years after the death of her husband Larry, Marcia moved to the Savannah area to be nearer her Georgia-based son and grandsons. Finally, in 2017, she again followed her son to Newberry, where she took up residence next door.

She was active in the Newberry Reformed Presbyterian Church, The Opera House Guild, The Newberry County YMCA, and The Newberry Newcomers Club, of which she proudly served as President for four years.

Marcia's hobbies included gardening, designing and creating toys for infants and children, knitting and selling original creations, singing with multiple choirs, playing the flute and piano, and going on birding expeditions with friends.

She is predeceased by her loving husband, Lawrence J. Cole, brother George T. Allen, and brother Edwin Jr. ("Ted"). She is survived by two grandsons, Isaiah H.E. Fernald, of Lawrenceville, GA, Gideon J.J. Fernald, of Washington DC, and her baby brother John F. Allen, of Broomfield, CO, as well as a niece and many nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. She is also survived by two Newberry locals, son Daniel and daughter-in-law Mandy, a devoted friend and caregiver.

Marcia passed away at home, per her wishes, with Daniel, Mandy, and other caregivers at her side. In her final days, she took great comfort in her deep Christian faith, as she prepared to join her Lord Jesus Christ in God's Eternal Kingdom.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Boys Farm, in Newberry, SC, are requested.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Newberry Reformed Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Seth Yi.