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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Passing of Marcia McDowell


I regret to inform you that Marcia McDowell, long-time faculty member in hospitality, passed away last week. Marcia taught MCC students for 25 years.

Marcia was an active member of the college community. She chaired the Food Service Administration Department for 13 years, leading it through significant growth in students and degree programs. She served on the Faculty Senate and sat on the Special Committee on Administrative Affairs (SCAA). She was a valuable partner to the MCC Foundation, supporting the MCC Foundation Spelling Bee and serving on the MCC Foundation Faculty Advisory Committee. Marcia’s high level of involvement in the college reflected her passion for students and for the mission of MCC.

Marcia’s teaching skills were recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1992 and certification as a culinary educator by the American Culinary Federation Educational Institute. Upon her retirement in 1996, the Board of Trustees recognized her service in naming her professor emerita of food, hotel and tourism management.

Marcia was a pilot, and we often talked about our shared love of flying. My memories of her also include an afternoon spent in my garage teaching her how to butcher a deer. She brought the venison back to campus, taught her students how to cook it and served many of us a great meal.

Marcia was one of MCC’s best.

Marcia was predeceased by her first husband Allan and survived by her present husband Jim Haefner; daughter Janet (Tony) Gawron; son James (Carole) McDowell; step-daughter Sheryl; stepson Scott (Sandi Delisle); and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marcia's name to the Wilmot Cancer Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642 or Gilda's Club of Rochester, 255 Alexander St., Rochester, NY 14607.

R. Thomas Flynn
President
03/03/2008