Obituary of Marcella Durham

Marcie led a very full life. She was the second of three daughters of Earl and Helen Durham. As a child, she was funny, adventurous, and athletic. She had many friends due to her sense of humor, nonjudgmental nature and empathy for others. She danced in the St. Patricks Day shows put on by the Irish nuns at the school she attended. She became a police office in Maryland and enjoyed the work so much that she transferred to the New Hampshire police department when that position became available. While on duty there, she suffered a severe leg injury when, after stopping a vehicle, she slipped on the ice and her leg fell behind the front wheel of the car. The driver saw the opportunity to get away and drove over Marcella's leg, resulting in severely crushing her leg. She underwent several surgeries and still did not have full use of the leg. She was no longer able to be a police officer and retired. She then studied, was tested, and became a Unitarian minister. She particularly enjoyed the counseling aspect of this ministry. She used her counseling skills later in her life. Marce met the love of her life, Sandra, and got married. They spent almost 20 years together. Being around them allowed us to see the devotion they had for each other. They were so in love, totally committed to each other. Sandra was diagnosed with breast cancer and Marcella became the caregiver. She fulfilled this role with love and compassion. Sadly, Sandra lost her battle with this terrible disease, leaving Marcella alone and lonely. She looked for a way to channel her energy and experience, leading to the next stage of her life. Marce initiated a program at Cleveland Clinic of Miami which brought caregivers together to allow them time to meet with other caregivers while their charges were being treated for their illness. The program was continued at Cleveland Clinic even after Marcella took a leave of absence to have her eyes operated on. Marce was looking forward to the next stage of her life, helping as a counselor in the trauma department of a local hospital. She was also looking forward to traveling to Chesterton, IN in July to visit her sister Lee's family and the many great nieces and nephews she loved. She called them her "grands". She also had a sister Donna in Maryland and several "grands" there also. She saw them last year at a family reunion, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She loved and was loved in return. Marce enjoyed many visits in Florida from her nephew Michael and his wife Rebecca. They also shared in looking after and serving as her advocates when she needed them. Marcella's lifelong friend, Howard Smith, gave her a lifetime of friendship and laughter. He took care of her when she had her eye surgeries and gave her strength and guidance during life's challenges. Another Howard (Patel?) owns the hotel across the street from her home and became a true friend over the 20 years Marce lived there, until her death. The family could always depend on Howard to check in on Marce and Sandra and help them with anything they needed. He was a true friend and neighbor to them. Marcella had a life of love, laughter, family, and friendship. She will be greatly missed. More than anything, she wanted to be reunited with her true love, Sandra. We can rest in the knowledge that they are together now in the presence of the Lord.