THE REMEMBRANCES
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THE OBITUARY
MARCIA ELIZABETH MCDONNAUGH-SMITH was born in New York City on October 1, 1948, to Fitzherbert and Ruby (Moore) McDonnaugh. She was the oldest of two children and is survived by her brother: Khaalid A. Muhammad, sister-in-law: Chunmei L. Muhammad, nephews: Sean, Gabriel and Khaalid Jr., grandnephew Kainoa, aunt Cargil Murphy, cousins: Emil, Oliver, Clyde, Andre, Earl, Jacqueline and numerous Church of the Intercession members that she called her friends and members of her second family.
Marcia grew up and spent her entire life in New York City. She worked her entire career at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, for a total of 43 years. On October 13, 1989, Marcia married Gilbert E. Smith until his passing on October 13, 2009. Marcia's second love, after her family, was that her love of movies, she was considered a “movie buff.” When she was a little girl, we would go to the local movie house together, on Saturday afternoons. She was fascinated with moviemaking and watched as many films as she could during her lifetime.
Throughout her life, Marcia was quiet and hardworking, preferring to work "behind the scenes" rather than seeking the limelight. She rarely asked anyone for help and valued her independence. Marcia possessed a very generous heart and gave unreservedly to her family and her church - she loved both very much. She did everything from the heart without any thought of compensation. When she helped, she simply helped!
Marcia's everyday joy was rooted in her devotion to her church. Throughout the years she was a faithful steward and served in several capacities. At the diocesan level, she served as the Secretary to the Board, Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of New York and at the church level she held various roles including but not limited to the following positions: (1) Church Warden and Vestry Member throughout the years; (2) Lay Leader of Evening Prayer at the request of Deacon Luis Rivera-Rivera and a reader; (3) Secretary, Episcopal Church Women (ECW); (4) Secretary of the Senior Group; (5) Chairperson, The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) National Conference 2016, as well as being a member of the Union; (6) President, of the Special Events Committee; (7) Editor, Weekly News and Notes and the church’s resident photographer; (8) Treasurer and Member of the Homecoming Dance Reception Committee; (9) Liaison to the New York City Council to prevent tourist helicopter flyovers in the vicinity of the church and upper Manhattan which had been disrupting the quality of life for the residents; (10) Volunteered during the annual Gobble Gobble Give Event.
Other roles she filled: Marcia served as a weekly counter, served on the Food Committee and attended Sunday school. Bottom line, one would be hard-pressed to find any aspect of any church life that did not include Marcia Smith at one point or the other.
Some of my best memories, in life, have been of me growing up, with my sister, through childhood to adulthood. I will miss all the conversations we had, I recall that as little children, we talked about what the future would hold for us. During our last conversation, we once again wondered what the future would hold for us. Marcia was one who never liked to complain about her own problems as she was more dedicated to helping others with their problems. No matter what her condition was, she would always reply that "she was alright or okay". Marcia's gift to her friends was her desire to help others.
I believe this poem, by poet Allison Chambers Coxsey describes the way I feel.
TO MY SISTER
I'm blessed to call you sister,
I also call you friend;
You've loved me unconditionally,
And stood through thick and thin.
You've shared my joys and sorrows,
My laughter and my tears,
You've been my inspiration,
As we grew up through the years.
When we were little children
We laughed and played together;
Then growing up stood by me,
Through good and stormy weather.
There's something God has given us
That's more than family;
He's placed a love for you, my sister,
Deep down in the heart of me.
Let us remember everything that Marcia shared with us and all that she did in the name of love for us. Let us be happy that she is on a journey that we are all destined to follow. Let us be happy that we were blessed with the joy of knowing her, even if for a brief period of time. Let us be happy that her life was designed to bring a period of happiness into the lives of people she met. Let us be happy knowing that no one comes into our lives by accident but only with a purpose, even if for a brief moment in time. Marcia, may you rest in peace and know that "You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon you.”
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THE HOMILY
The Rev. Rhonda J. Rubinson
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THE APOSTLES’ CREED
In the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism, let us proclaim our faith and say,
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
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THE PRAYERS
For our sister, Marcia, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said,
"I am Resurrection and I am Life."
Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress;
draw near to us who mourn for Marcia, and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.
You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend;
comfort us in our sorrow.
Hear us, Lord.
You raised the dead to life;
give to our sister eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented;
bring our sister to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.
Our sister was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit;
give her fellowship with all your saints.
Hear us, Lord.
She was nourished with your Body and Blood;
grant her a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Lord.
Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister;
let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
SILENCE
Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our sister, Marcia, who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that her death may recall to us your victory over death, and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in your Father's love. Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where you have led the way; and where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.
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