Obituary of Marcia R. Lupe

Marcia R. Lupe, 73, of Charlton, NY passed peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on July 9, 2020. Born on November 6, 1946 in Schenectady, NY to her late parents, Edward and Mary (Olochnowicz) Rybaltowski. Marcia attended Ballston Spa High School. She grew up on Saratoga Lake, where she met the love of her life, Barry Lupe. In 1962, her family moved to Idaho Falls, ID, where she graduated from High School in 1964. In 1965, Marcia moved back to Schenectady where she was reunited with Barry.

On November 16, 1968, Marcia and Barry were married. Together they shared 51 fulfilled years together. Over the years, they raised their two children and fostered 27 infants in their loving home.

Marcia worked for NY Telephone. Once her children were old enough, her husband, Barry, and she bought the Burnt Hills Bookstore. For 15 years, they were the proud owners of the local treasure. Marcia and Barry were devoted to their community, and were quite the pair in life and work. 

Marcia enjoyed working for 11 years at the Saratoga Race Track where she helped patrons have a pleasurable experience. She valued the friendships she made with co-workers and patrons. She stayed in contact with many of them.

As a devoted woman of faith and ministry, Marcia and Barry were team members for the REC (Residents Encounter Christ) program, a prison ministry for  inmates in local NYS prisons. They volunteered at the Hale Creek Corr. Fac.  At these REC retreats, Marcia expressed her faith in God, and reminded the residents how “God Loves You”. The new found faith and positive effect she and Barry created within the prisons proves that HOPE is never lost and that LOVE creates change. Marcia also had an active role in the Cursillo Movement in the Albany Diocese. 

If Marcia wasn’t helping others, she found relaxation and comfort in knitting. Knitting was a talent of hers and a passion that she enjoyed. She will be remembered by family, friends and the people whose hearts she touched over the years with her prayer shawl creations. Her daughter and husband will continue her legacy by sharing the many prayer shawls she created with those in need of comfort and support. She also started  a knitting club at Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake, NY, where she was a longtime parishioner. 

Her family enjoyed vacationing at their condo in Panama City Beach in Florida, she created countless memories with her family, friends and her Sea Needles Club, the knitting family she joined in Panama City Beach. She also enjoyed playing cards with many Regency Towers friends.

She will always be remembered as a caring, gentle woman, who believed in people. Her heart and love has left a lasting imprint on her community and family. Marcia always said the following quote, “The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay, love isn’t love until you give it away”. 

To continue her memory is her loving husband, Barry; beloved children, Patrick (girlfriend-in-law, Tammie Eller) and Amanda Lupe; cherished grand-kitty, Cleopatra Chaos; sisters, Janice (Pete) Hensley and Mary Ann (David) Kelly; nieces and nephews, Ryan Kelly, Meghan Zaylor, Heather Kelly and Tracy McDaniel. 

She was predeceased by her foster infant, Sean, as well as her beloved grand-kitty, Althea Grace, whom met Marcia at the rainbow bridge.  

The family thanks the care of Ellis Medicine-ICU, and are grateful that Marcia was able to give a final gift as an organ donor. We know that her gentle love and generosity will continue in this world. 

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake, NY on July 11th at 1 PM. Services will also be streamed LIVE on Glenville Funeral Home's Facebook page and may be viewed virtually through Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88460575422?pwd=UTJTRDUxeTNsK3lOWjBWem9Xa3RKUT09

Relatives and friends may visit with family prior to Mass from 12 to 1 PM. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Cursillo in Christianity PO Box 1095, 1764 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065; Residents Encounter Christ, P.O Box 1448 Clifton Park, NY 12065; American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829 Arlington, VA 22215; American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association 300 5th Avenue, Suite 6 Waltham, MA 02451; Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203.

Online condolences at glenvillefuneralhome.com