Marcia E. Erle

Servant to God, Blessing to all who knew her. Daughter to Bill and Eleanor, Wife to Charles for 59 years. Mother to Brian, Jeff and Steve. Mother-In-Law to Heather and Whitney. Grandmother to Jacob, RiLeigh, Mason, Olivia, Gabrielle, Charlee-Anne, and Isaac. Great Grandmother to Hadley. Friend to multitudes. Marcia’s commitment to God, Family, Friends and Community was like few other.
Marcia started life fighting. As one of the lightest babies in history to survive on June 27th, 1945, at 2lbs 2oz. Her weight caused Rheumatic fever which slowly destroyed the mitral valve of her heart. You could say she was born in a fight she didn’t give up for 80 years.
Marcia grew up in Elmira, NY and attended parochial school. Her 2nd life’s battle began at the age of 6 when her mother passed away. Following her father’s new marriage, she was not treated well by her new stepmother. At the age of 12, Marcia left home. She literally walked across town and became the live-in caregiver for the Lynch family of 8 kids. Her father nor sister ever came to claim her. Bumps, bruises, bee stings, meals, and trips to the hospital were a routine day in helping the 8 Lynch kids grow. Marcia loved the Lynch family and they loved her. She learned how to be tough, a leader and caregiver in service to the Lynch family. Blood or not, Marcia was a member of the Lynch family that lasted her entire life.
While in high school Marcia was confronted by her 3rd battle. Her mitral valve, failing since birth, needed to be replaced which resulted in her 1st of 4 valve replacements. During this time, she was fortunate enough to meet her high school sweetheart and another fighter, Charles Erle, who became her husband of 59 years. Upon graduation the couple married in 1965 and moved to the Endicott area. Marcia worked to put Charles through 8 years of night school to earn a bachelor’s degree while he worked at IBM Owego during the day and having their first two sons, Brian and Jeffrey.
Through all of Marica’s trials, her faith in God never wavered. She had always seemed to have the answer to life’s most important question, who is Jesus Christ? She and her family worshiped Jesus at Our Lady of Good Council Church for decades before worshiping at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church during COVID. Marcia’s favorite saying was “God has the plan.”
Despite a spinal fusion and 3 additional open-heart surgeries during her life’s battles, Marcia spent her life in service. Marcia was the East-Coast representative for involvement. Leader of the local Endicott area Meat Boycott in the 1970’s, Den Mother for the Boy Scouts, PTA Mother, Emergency Medical Technician for Union Volunteer Emergency Squad, President of the local Mended Hearts organization, Member of the P.E.O (Philanthropic Education Organization) and nurse to neighborhood kids with scraped knees.
Marcia also shared her service and her love for Christ throughout her life by knitting prayer patches for everyone she could. If anyone needed something mended, needed a meal, a snack, a shirt, a friendly voice of encouragement or a ride to practice, Marcia was always ready to help. She was always there for her family, always there for her friends, and always there to help and assist in her community. Outside of the home she also worked at local establishments, volunteered, organized, led, and managed everywhere she went. She was a little dynamo. Despite long distances Marcia and Charles never missed a football game for their 3rd son Stephen over his 17-year career.
Marcia at one point in time even earned the nickname “Mighty Marsh” for her fighting spirit. Following her life of service and of struggle and of love, Marcia on her death bed finally articulated “I’m done, I’m ready to be with Jesus.” Marcia died with one of her prayer patches in hand.
Marcia Erle will be remembered as small in stature but larger than life in spirit and love. She lived her life in service to everyone around her and leaves a legacy of love, hope, service, faith and family. No one left it all on the field of life more than Marcia Erle. She will be missed by friends, community, family and everyone she touched. May God welcome her into his rest.
Marcia’s family will be receiving family and friends on Friday May 22, 2026, at the Allen Memorial Home (511 E. Main Street, Endicott, NY 13760) from 1-3 pm with a memorial service immediately following and a gathering of remembrance at the Endicott Visitor’s Center (300 Lincoln Ave. Endicott, NY 13760).
In honor of Marcia, her family kindly requests that any memorial donations be directed to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 400 W. Wendell Street, Endicott, NY 13760.