Marcella A. Fall, 78, of New Paltz, passed away on Sunday February 27, 2022, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born December 24, 1943 in Englewood, NJ. Marcy was the daughter of the late William D. McNally & Frances Deegan McNally. The family moved to Levittown on Long Island when she was ten years old.
Marcy came to SUNY New Paltz in 1961 where she met her husband Richard “Dick” Fall and never left. She worked as an elementary school teacher in various districts and then settled in as a fourth and fifth grade teacher in the New Paltz district. She enjoyed her work and her students tremendously and was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for years 1994,1996, 2004, and 2005. Marcy’s former students will remember Egg Day and the Idiom Project. Egg Day involved months of preparation with her students outfitting eggs to safely drop off The Duzine School roof on the Spring Equinox. And she had a way with idioms and getting kids hooked on them. Her annual Idiom Project inspired her students to come up with idioms in spades.
Marcy generously gave her time to the community through her various volunteer activities. She was the first president of The New Paltz Swim Team, a 4H leader, a member of the New Paltz Garden Club, a Communicant and Eucharistic Minister of St. Joseph’s Church, the Vice-President of St. Joseph’s Women’s Guild, a volunteer at The New Paltz Food Pantry, and a coordinator for The Levittown Memorial High School Class of 1961 Alumni Association. Her tireless work as webmaster of her high school alumni website brought her back in touch with many former classmates and led to new connections and friendships.
Retirement afforded Marcy time for her one of her greatest passions. She spent countless hours in her own gardens and the gardens of her daughters. Marcy enjoyed giving others her flowers and helping novice gardeners to get started. Flowers from her gardens bloom throughout New Paltz.
Marcy is survived by her three children, Joan Fall, of Kingston, Richard A. Fall Jr, of Tillson, and Theresa Fall, of New Paltz, a granddaughter Frances Rose Schembri and a grandson Atticus Axel Fall-Schembri and several nieces and nephews. Marcy considered herself to be blessed to be the mother of Joan, Rick, and Theresa. It meant the world to her to have all of her devoted children live nearby. Not a day went by without one or more of her children visiting. However, Marcy’s truest calling in life may have been being a grandmother. She adored Frances and Atticus; they brought true joy to her heart.
In addition to her parents, Marcy was predeceased by her loving husband of 17 years, Richard Fall, who passed away in 1981.
Friends may call on Wednesday March 2, 2022, between 3 to 7 p.m. at the Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home, 162 S. Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz, New York.
A Mass of Christian Burial is being planned for the following day, Thursday March 3, 2022, starting at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 S. Chestnut Street, New Paltz, New York 12561 officiated by Father SalvatorCordaro.
The Rite of Committal will take place after church at the New Paltz Rural Cemetery, 81 Plains Road, New Paltz, 12561.
In lieu of flowers, Marcy requested donations of canned food to be dropped off at St. Joseph’s food pantry or checks made out to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry can be sent to St. Joseph’s Church, 34 S. Chestnut St. New paltz, New York, 12561.
Copeland-Hammerl is honored to assist the family of Marcy with the funeral arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family of Marcy by visiting www.CopelandHammerl.com.
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