Julie A. Marsian

Springfield – Julie Ann Marsian, age 73, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2018, surrounded by her beloved spouse and dogs. She was born in Springfield to the late Kurt and Alice (Jepson) Marsian on October 12, 1944. Julie graduated from Chicopee High School in 1963, and later in life she went on to further her education, earning her Master’s Degree in Management from Cambridge College. Although she worked a number of jobs early on, Julie decided on a nontraditional (for women of her time) career driving the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) bus, which she did from 1975 until her retirement in 2000. She was one of only four women initially hired as bus drivers, becoming a supervisor and then also serving as the President of the local ATA union for one term. She was dedicated to fairness, equality and community service, leading her to become a volunteer member of a number of organizations including the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team; the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Springfield Police Auxiliary. As a volunteer, Julie supported disaster response & recovery efforts (especially after the June 1, 2011 Tornado), participated in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and engaged in numerous fundraising events in support of many local and national charities. She loved photography, music, dancing, camping, old movies and watching the news (especially Rachel Maddow), and her 1973 Super Beetle, which she was very pleased to tell one and all was her first car and still ran great! Julie also loved the ocean and went to the beach as often as she could. When she turned 55, Julie achieved her dream of swimming with the dolphins – three times! Although she still had many things left on her “must do” list, Julie knew that it was time to prepare for her next journey so she spent her last days with as many of her close family and friends as possible. She leaves her loving spouse of 25 years, Donna M. Toupin; her sister, Imelda “Mona” Murphy and her husband Bill of Feeding Hills; her sister-in-law, Antonette “Toni” Marsian of East Longmeadow, her beloved nephew, Kurt Murphy and his wife Carol, and their children, Sarah and Emily; and the rest of the extended family. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on March 6, 2018 from 9am to 11am at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Funeral services will begin at 11am with a procession to Sacred Heart Church, Springfield for a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 12pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dakin Humane Society or Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. For more information please visit: www.forastiere.com.