Marcia Beth Adair

Kinda like that famous person, Marcia has left the building at the tender age of 78.

Starting off in Illinois, she was part of a military family that included three younger siblings. They lived in Army bases over the United States and a three-year stint in Taiwan. She did very well in school, but in spite of that her know-everything Army officer father told her to learn how to type so she could get a good job as a secretary. He underestimated his daughter and she pushed her way through the very heavily dominated male world and (utilizing her shorthand skills!) earned a Physics degree, then a master’s in physics and finally added on a master’s in business. She entered the business world first in a Navy research facility, then on to the B.F. Goodrich Tire Company as its second-ever female construction engineer. Among other things, she helped design Space Shuttle tires. After leaving the tire business she took her multi-spreadsheet analytical talents to what became FedEx Logistics.

While she was in the work world, and later into retirement, Marcia used her talents and abilities to be the bookkeeper/treasurer for decades for: Haven for Pets, a local animal rescue group; Zonta International, Akron chapter, a world-wide professional women’s organization; and Alpha Xi Delta (women’s fraternity), the Kent State University chapter. She did not want to be out front, in the limelight, but loved keeping everything in control in the background, with great attention to detail.

Okay, she was a smart lady with many talents, but there was another side to her. She and husband Dick Edwards fostered cats for years, with over 200 coming through their home and getting adopted out. She loved to cook and have dinner parties with friends. Got a new recipe that seems interesting, well just open a bottle of wine, put on some rock ‘n roll music and have some fun. Then there were all the ocean and river cruises they took, enjoying how others lived around the world.

The medical community all commented that she was stoic, and stubborn and would always ask a lot of questions and would not be afraid to say, “I don’t agree with that, please explain further.”

Marcia will be remembered for doing things the “right way” as far as sending thank-you notes for niceties committed. Marcia had a very soft spot for animals of all kinds.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of her favorite local organizations such as the Victim Assistance Program, the Akron Zoo, or the Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Per her strict wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. She says to simply party on!

She will be dearly missed by her husband and four cats.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333.

(Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)