Virginia Beach ~ Marcia Thompson Bauer, age 88; (formerly of Valdosta, Georgia and Spring Hill, Florida) was born January 14, 1932. She died on November 3, 2020 at home, surrounded by loving family members. She will be remembered as a life long educator, a generous and giving individual, a dog lover and a unique free-spirit.
Marcia was born in Buffalo, New York on January 14, 1932 to Leslie and Emma Thompson. She grew up in Kenmore, New York and graduated from Kenmore Senior High School in 1949. She received her B.S. from the State University of New York-New York State College for Teachers at Buffalo in 1953. She became a wife of a Naval Officer and lived in Bethesda, MD and Quantico, VA. She eventually settled in the Tidewater area and raised her family in Portsmouth, VA.
During her time in Portsmouth she was employed as an elementary school teacher at Hodges Manor Elementary School. She in addition to teaching and raising her family she started to pursue continued advancement in her education. She received her M.Ed in 1974, Certificate of Advanced Studies in Education in 1976 and her Doctorate of Education (Counseling) in 1977 ; all from the College of William and Mary. Upon dissolution of her marriage she moved to Valdosta, Georgia and taught at Valdosta State University. She also taught at Valdosta Technical College (Wiregrass) until her retirement. She retired to Spring Hill, Florida. Among her accomplishments Marcia was also named to the Who’s Who of American Women in 1983-84. In 2019 she moved to Virginia Beach to be close to her daughters.
Marcia was predeceased by her parents Leslie and Emma Thompson and great- grandchild, Kain Avery Cooper. She is survived by her children; Janet Rossi, Diana Anderson (Tracy), Paul R. Bauer Jr. (Joy), Leslie Charles Bauer (Tracie Cowart ) and David W.Bauer. She also survived by grandchildren Philip Anderson, Lance Rossi, Laura Bauer, Trae Bauer (Chelsea), Kristen (Will) Eason, Kayla Russell, Katelyn Bauer and Melissa Cowart. In addition she is survived by eight great- grandchildren. She is also survived by her former spouse, Paul R. Bauer, M.D.(Faye) of Wilson, NC (formerly of Portsmouth, VA).