Marcia Clare Richard

Marcia Richard (February 17, 1944–December 9, 2024)

Marcia Richard, a beloved wife and mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt and 49 year Crofton resident, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on December 9, 2024. Born February 17, 1944 to Frank Amodei and Louise Amodei (LaSala) in Redondo Beach, CA she spent her life embracing service, family, and a love of education.

As an “Army brat” she experienced a nomadic childhood living in Tokyo, Paris, and attending a Swiss boarding school. Her father’s military career eventually brought the family to Ft. Meade, Maryland where she graduated from Arundel High school - where her mother taught physical education and was a coach. 

Marcia earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating she began her career as a Member Relations Specialist for the National Geographic magazine. She then studied French at McGill University in Montreal before working at the Department of Defense. Following this, she pursued graduate studies in education at George Washington University. She subsequently transitioned into teaching French and English starting in Prince George’s County. 

Marcia met the love of her life, Gene Richard, in the summer of 1969 at a local club in Cape Cod, MA while she was vacationing with a friend for the weekend. Living 387 miles apart they managed four dates and 5 months later were married at the Post Chapel at Ft. Meade in 1970 followed by a wedding reception at the Crofton Country Club. They began their life in Mansfield, MA. Shortly after their marriage Renee (Richard) Austin (Severna Park, MD) was born followed by their son, Marc Richard (Golden, CO). The family temporarily relocated to a family summer home in Bethany Beach, DE as their new home in Port Tobacco, MD was being constructed. While living in Port Tobacco, Marcia would substitute at the local high school and also moonlighted as a crossing guard as Renee and Marc sat in the back seat of the car.

In 1975 the family relocated and settled in Crofton where Marcia’s extended family all lived, including her parents, her Aunt and Uncle and her sister and her family. Spending time with family on birthdays, holidays and other special occasions was important to her. 

When her children were young, Marcia worked part-time for the Legislative Reference for Maryland's State Legislature. At the time, the State was shifting to computerizing the information systems. Marcia trained employees on the new system and also completed special projects for the Governor's office. As her children got older, she re-entered teaching part-time and eventually became a full-time teacher at Arundel Junior High School. During this time she was honored with the Outstanding Teacher Award from WJZ-TV.

Marcia earned a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University, Maryland, and started a career as a counselor at MacArthur Middle School and then at Severna Park Middle, where she retired. After retirement, she volunteered her efforts to develop a curriculum on Bias Motivated Behavior.

Always finding time to be involved in county organizations, she served as Chairman of the Anne Arundel School Board Nominating Committee. She was elected Director of Education and Civic Affairs for the Crofton Civic Association and served from 1990 to 1998. She was involved in various community activities, including the Crofton 50th Anniversary Celebration and the Crofton Village Garden Club (CVGC) which she joined in 2007. She held many board positions with the CVGC and became Vice President of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland. In this role, she spearheaded two community projects: the Blue Star Memorial in front of the library and more recently the Crofton Gold Star Memorial which can be seen by the main gate entrance.

Marcia and Gene spent much of their retirement traveling the world together, dancing in the living room, listening to the news, reading books, meeting up with friends for dinner, serving in their church, enjoying their own garden, updating their home, being involved with their community and loving their two grandsons.

Marcia’s generosity, kindness, and strength were felt by all who knew her. She was a woman of deep faith, a steadfast friend, and an inspiration to all who had the privilege of calling her family, friend, or colleague. Her positivity, warmth, optimism, sense of adventure, her laugh and natural inclination to see the best in everyone will be remembered with love and affection.

Marcia was predeceased by both of her parents, and her sister, Margot Bryant. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gene, her daughter, Renee (Steve) Austin, her son, Marc Richard, her nieces: Tracey (Mark) Post & Carla (Pete) Post; nephews: Adam Bryant, Charles ‘CAP’ Post and Alex Bryant (Lisa). She was a loving grandmother “Bubbie” to Ryan and Jake, and a loving great aunt to her nieces, Louisa, Kaitlin, Sophia, Greer, & Zoe, and nephews, Max, Will, Charlie and Brady.

A Celebration of life for Marcia will be held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Crofton, MD on Thursday December 19th at 11:00 am. A reception will follow immediately after the celebration at the Seton Parish Hall where we invite all to share stories or special moments of Marcia. She will be laid to rest at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery scheduled for a later date. Flowers are welcome and/or Gifts in memory of Marcia Richard may be directed to support the lung cancer research of Dr. Julie Brahmer at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Checks can be made payable to Johns Hopkins University indicating the gift’s designation and mailed to: The Kimmel Cancer Center Development Office, 750 East Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202. Gifts can also be made online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel.