The following information was compiled from an interview with Marcia Walsh on November 18, 2018
I was born in East Tennessee on a tobacco farm. My father was a farmer and my mother a nurse. I had a wonderful childhood and was very close to my parents and grandparents. I have two younger siblings. My brother is a retired college professor living in South Carolina and my sister lives in Evergreen and is a nuclear power safety specialist. Her husband is a nuclear engineer.
I attended Washington College Academy grades 1-12 and East Tennessee State University for two years. After that I decided I wanted to see the world and became a stewardess for American Airlines based in New York City. I married a pilot. Our first date was on a layover in Washington D.C. and he took me to a French restaurant named Michelle's and our first daughter was named after that restaurant. We were divorced after 25 years but remained friends until his death last year. We raised two daughters, Michelle, a yoga instructor and Melissa, a captain with American Airlines.
During our marriage we were part owner of Mid-South Airlines in Pinehurst, NC. I handled all the marketing and training of the flight attendants. After our divorce I started a new career working in public relations and marketing at Amelia Plantation, Sawgrass and the Breakers in Palm Beach all in Florida and The Homestead in Va. I accepted a position as Vice Present of Tourism for northern Michigan.
It was in Traverse City MI that I met my second husband, Roy. He was a member of Rotary and owned a large construction company. We dated for two years before we married.. He sold the company and we moved south to Beaufort, SC He passed away at age 66 after 12 years of marriage.After his death I decided to downsize and move to Evergreen and join the Rotary.
Special Interests: Animal rights, International travel, golf and tennis. I love animals and am a vegetarian. I don't hold grudges.
I was led to the Rotary because my late husband was a Rotarian and I was familiar with the wonderful work they do. I shared his concern for community service and helping others.
If I were asked to describe myself as a shoe, I would describe myself as a ballet shoe.
My words of wisdom are:
LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!