Marcia Lee Jester

Marcia L (Andress) Jester, 83, died at home in Wilbraham on October 5th, 2019, surrounded by loving family and friends, after a short illness. She was born on a family farm without running water or electricity on November 7th, 1935 in Beebe, Quebec, Canada to the late Max and Ruth (Earle) Andress. The family relocated to Wellesley MA, where Marcia graduated high school. Loving nature all her life, she was in the Girl Scouts as a youth.
In 1957, Marcia married her UMass Amherst college sweetheart, Paul Hibsher. After teaching fourth grade for several years at the Sumner Ave School in Springfield, she left full-time work to devote herself to her three children, David, Sharon, and Tom. She imparted her love of nature by taking them on many camping trips and spending summers at a rustic family cabin on a lake in Vermont. She loved family and friends, throwing numerous dinner parties and extensively decorating the house for each holiday—Halloween and Christmas being favorites. Marcia instilled in her beloved family both a compassion for others and a sense of thriftiness. "Waste not, want not, my mother used to say" was a frequent refrain heard around the house.
A member of St. Mark's church in East Longmeadow, Marcia became their music director in 1966—a position she held for 35 years. She continued to develop her music profession, joining the American Guild of Organists, starting a church bell choir, and getting a second bachelor's degree in music. A much-loved member of the congregation, she was always surrounded by laughter and close friends. Marcia often encouraged the parish children to march to the beat of a different drummer, and her favorite service was always the blessing of the animals.
She found new love in mid-life with her second husband, Dr. Harold Jester, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. Marcia and Hal did two long treks around Alaska, where she marveled at the mountains and wildlife. She also relished nurturing her two granddaughters, April and Lydia, showering them with trips to cultural events, outdoor activities, and indoor arts and crafts.
Later in life, Marcia was known to swoon over Captain Picard on Star Trek. To keep active, she volunteered at the draft horse rescue farm Blue Star Equiculture. Her warm love for others and sense of humor will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Marcia is survived by her sister Ruth and brother David and his wife, Jeanette; her three devoted children, David, Sharon and her husband Leon, and Tom; two cherished grandchildren, April and Lydia; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Harold, and her brothers Tom and Joe.
A wake for Marcia will be held on Monday, October 14th from 2-6pm at Forestiere Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at 10am at St. Mark's Church, 1 Porter Rd., East Longmeadow, MA. A non-religious remembrance celebration will be held at 11:30am at St. Mark's Church, after the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the draft horse sanctuary Blue Star Equiculture, 62 Birch Hill Rd, West Brookfield, MA 01585.