Marcia Colby Rudoff passed away from prolymphocytic leukemmia on March 14, 2015. She was at home with her children by her side. She was 84 years young.

A very independent, well-loved woman, Marcia’s passing has left an empty spot in so many hearts. But the outpouring of love and good memories are already easing the sorrow of the loss we are all feeling.

Marcia’s friendly personality, sharp wit, sense of humor and her artistic and written contributions will be missed by all who knew her. She was a wonderful mother, sister, wife and friend.

She will be loved forever by her family and many friends.

A celebration of her life will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marcia’s honor be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society or to the Bainbridge Island Senior Center. For those who prefer to send or bring flowers, please select potted plants and flowers so that they might be replanted in a memorial garden in her honor.

Marcia was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on June 30, 1930.

She grew up in Deal and the beaches of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Marcia attended both Sarah Lawrence and Rutgers University. She earned her bachelor’s degree and began a long career of teaching and eventually counseling. She went on to earn her master’s degree and special accreditations in various aspects of teaching.

She married Richard Colby on July 19, 1953. They had two children.

They lived in Scarsdale, New York and then moved to Southern California in 1967.

After Richard died in 1986, Marcia married Leonard Rudoff in 1988 and they retired to Bainbridge Island.

“Retired” though is hardly an accurate word to describe Marcia! She enjoyed traveling the world, became an active walker with the Striders group and founded the “Walk in The Park” program. She is responsible for many of the sidewalks and safely labeled pedestrian crosswalks and school zones on Bainbridge Island. She also wrote a popular column in the Bainbridge Island Review. She was very active at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center where she taught a memoirs writing class. She was a docent at the museum as well.

Marcia was a passionate baseball fan and shared that love with her family and close friends. She was also rather fond of mochas!

She was preceded in death by her brother Allen Grossman, her first husband, Richard Colby and second husband, Leonard Rudoff. She is survived by her brother Steve Grossman; her two children, Alice and Eric; three stepsons, Matt, Doug and Roger; and four grandchildren, Emily, Hana, Simon and Liam.