Marcia Ann. Ridley was born on July 23, 1941, in Roxbury, MA. Marcia was the only daughter to Chester Milton Williams (New York, NY) and Corine Edna Blockson Williams (Providence, RI). Marcia was the eldest of 3 children. She is survived by her brothers Valimore Williams (Sister-in-Love Judy Williams) and Donaldson Williams (Late Sister-in-Love Eunice Williams).  Marcia adopted Preston Williams, a childhood friend for over 70 years as a brother. Marcia was an energetic, young woman, who always outpaced her peers athletically. As a boisterous young woman, her physical attributes and constant pursuit in sports deemed her as a Tomboy. This was a badge of honor for Marcia. She passed on those very same attributes to her daughters and nieces.  Marcia played competitive sports, especially basketball. Upon graduating from Jeramiah E Burke, Marcia considered playing basketball and attending college but chose to start working. Marcia learned very early the benefits to making her own money.  Marcia's working career started with Brigham Women's' Hospital, in a research laboratory. Marcia met John Thomas Ridley Jr(late) of Cambridge, MA shortly after starting work at the research laboratory and married in 1959. From their union, they were blessed with 4 children; two boys and two girls: John T. Ridley, III (Virginia Espinoza) of West Newton, MA, Lysa M. A. Ridley-Jones (Seigfried Jones) of Fayetteville, GA, Thomas C. Ridley of Palm City, FL and Lynda A. Ridley (late, Ronnie Moore) of Dorchester, MA. Marcia was a homemaker for several years but yearned to get back into the workforce.

Marcia landed a sales position with Prudential Insurance Company on Boylston Street. After a successful career in sales, Marcia parlayed her experience into the telecommunication industry, by securing a sales position.  It didn't take long for Marcia to transition from sales, to being a supervisor over dispatchers, who assigned phone and cable installation assignments for New England Telephone Company (Verizon). While working full time, Marcia attended Cambridge College to secure her bachelor's degree and teachers certification. After graduating and raising her children, Marcia enjoyed traveling and attending family reunion/picnics, viewing art performance events and immersing herself in the culture of the various countries she visited.

For fun and exercise, Marcia tried her hand at playing softball with a league in Roxbury. After the difficulty of balancing practices and work, Marcia turned her competitive nature to playing cards and reading books. Marcia joined book reading clubs and helped form a card playing club inside the Smith House, the senior living facility in which Marcia resided in for over 30 years.

The social activism spirit in Marcia led her in several different direction.  Marcia participated in the election process in some form or fashion. Marcia started as a grassroots door to door canvasser, with her children in tow. She progressed to an election inspector, and finally became a precinct election clerk (Ward #8, Precinct #1-Cathedral School) for the City of Boston.  Marcia retired from Verizon Company and pivoted into teaching. Marcia began as a substitute teacher for a private school. She expanded into the public-school sector in both Dorchester and Roxbury. Marcia loved her students. As a substitute teacher, she rekindled her baking talents to supplement the needs of her students with bake sales and providing treats for the students and staff. She would even share these bake goods with her elections team and her card playing clubs members.

Unfortunately, Marcia had experienced several medical challenges resulted in her withdrawing from teaching and the City of Boston's election sessions. Marcia continued her volunteerism for the Smith House as the 7th Floor Coordinator.  She was responsible for communicating residents of the 7th floor issues or concerns to the property administrative staff.

Marcia loved her family and friends and adopted daughters Ruth Campbell & Sunrisa Haynes and their children.  Marcia often worried about not having enough time to spend with her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. She wanted her grands to know she loved them dearly. She promised to watch over her 7 grandchildren and great grands: Tomas Ridley (Parker), Ronnie Moore (Messiah, Raelyn, Ria, Riley and Raquel) Kayden Moore, Kalah & Brannon Jones, Alejandra Ridley and Asa Ridley. Marcia will forever live in our hearts and be remembered by all those she loved and inspired.

- The Family -

In lieu of flowers, please donate to either of these two charities on behalf of Mrs. Ridley.

The American Cancer Society

or

The Humane Society of the United States