Marcia F. O'Rourke Obituary
Marcia Faye (Costello) O'Rourke, 81, of Rockport, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 13, 2024, following visits from her children and phone calls with family members and some of her closest friends. A three-time cancer survivor, Marcie quietly and courageously battled multiple health challenges for more than two decades.
Born in St. John, New Brunswick (Canada), where she spent her early years, Marcie moved with her family to Caribou, ME in the 1950s where she attended high school, and then to Worcester, MA where she attended Becker Junior College and earned her associate degree. She then moved to Boston, MA, where she worked as a medical secretary.
Marcie lived most of her adult life in Rockport, MA where she and Thomas W. O'Rourke, Jr., to whom she was married for 30 years, raised their three children, Debra, Thomas and David. She worked for many years as a medical office assistant, office manager, switchboard operator and receptionist at Cape Ann Surgical Offices and Cape Ann Medical Center, both in Gloucester, MA. Marcie led a simple and private life, loved Cape Ann, and seldom left the North Shore for long. She enjoyed visits with extended family members, including her cherished aunt Dolores (Costello) Murray and husband Jim, in Canada. She was proud of her Canadian heritage and maintained her Canadian citizenship throughout her life. Marcie enjoyed music and theater and attended many performances with family members at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly and the Opera House in Boston. She loved and was immensely proud of her granddaughters, never missing a birthday, graduation, game or school performance. She looked forward to holiday celebrations and reunions and maintained strong decades-long relationships with many friends from high school and college. She loved sweets and always saved room for more than one dessert. She will be remembered by many for her thoughtful, timely and painstakingly hand-written thank you notes.
Marcie was pre-deceased by her parents, Douglas W. Costello and Violet L. (Connor) Costello and mother-in-law, Helen V. O'Rourke, all of whom she selflessly cared for in their later years in Rockport. She is lovingly survived by her children Debra A. (Lakin) O'Rourke of Essex, MA, Thomas D. O'Rourke and his wife Susan Tabb of Newburyport, and David A. O'Rourke and his partner Courtney Dearborn of Rockport; three grandchildren, Melissa N. Danjou of Salem, MA, Katherine E. O'Rourke of South Boston, MA, and Emma C. O'Rourke of Orlando, FL. She is also survived by brother Douglas Costello and his wife Yvette of St. John, New Brunswick, brother Ralph Costello of Medfield, MA and many nieces and nephews.
Marcie was able to live independently with help and support from many volunteers and visiting caregivers in the community. Her church family at First Baptist Church of Rockport was a very important part of her life and brought her great strength and comfort.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Thursday January 18, 2024, from 4-7p.m. Funeral service will be held in the First Baptist Church, 4 High Street, Rockport, on Friday, January 19, at 11a.m. Burial to follow in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the First Baptist Church, 4 High Street, Rockport, MA. 01966.
