Carmen Rickard Marcy

In Loving Memory of Dr. Carmen R. Marcy

Dr. Carmen R. Marcy, a dedicated educator, passionate missionary, and devoted mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026 after a courageous battle with kidney disease. She was surrounded by her family. A fiercely independent and brilliant woman, Carmen dedicated her life to serving others, inspiring young minds, and sharing her deep faith and love of learning and sports with everyone around her. She will be deeply missed by many and it is our biggest hope that many emulate her journey.

Education and Career

Carmen was a lifelong learner who believed strongly in the transformative power of education. She graduated from Girls Latin School in Boston, MA (1957) before earning her Bachelor of Arts in History from Tufts University (1966), a Master’s in Education from the University of Vermont (1974), and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Oregon (1977). Later in life, driven by a deep spiritual calling, she also studied at the Moody Bible Institute (1995).

Her distinguished career spanned decades in education, community support, and religious ministry. She possessed a unique gift for teaching young children to read, especially those learning differently. Early in her career (1972), she served as a Science Specialist at Williamstown Elementary School in Vermont, Director of Special Education Services in Portland, Maine, and Principal of Nichols Middle School in Evanston, Illinois. Undaunted by challenges, she built Circle Rock Preparatory School from the ground up in the Austin neighborhood of inner-city Chicago. She later supported students as a specialist at Benchmark School in Media, Pennsylvania. Extending her calling globally and locally, Carmen served as an ESL missionary in Chiang Mai, Thailand with SEND International, and taught ESL at The Centre and the Neighbors Community Center at Hub450 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Family and Life Journey

As a single mother, Carmen raised three young children with immense strength, instilling in them a strong work ethic, independence, and a commitment to moral responsibility. She delighted in creating unforgettable memories with her family, including legendary cross-country road trips from Cape Cod to Oregon to explore Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and the Great Salt Lake. She never hesitated to pick up the keys of the car and to head out on an adventure to see the country or family. She encouraged her own children to be independent, resilient and to pursue their dreams.

Carmen is survived by her three children and their spouses: Henry O. Marcy 5th (PJ), Maribel Marcy-Pregnall Mueller (John), and Jennifer Marcy; her six beloved grandchildren and their partners: Drake Pregnall (Kerry), Hali Pregnall (Luke), Cheyenne Marcy, Henry O. Marcy 6th (Sasha), Connor Archard (Anya), and Madison Archard (Dana); two nephews, Benjamin Rickard and Matthew Rickard; and sister-in-law Penny Rickard. She was predeceased by her parents, Hazel Smith Rickard and William H. Rickard, her brother, Rollin Rickard and her son-in-law, Marshall Pregnall and a lifelong friend, Deborah Paulsen.

She is also survived by many loving friends, including lifelong companions Meredith Harding, Pat Desimone, Mary Cleavland and Celia Tear, as well as her housemates at Thistledown House in Garden Spot Village, New Holland, Pennsylvania. Her biggest wish as her kidney disease progressed, was for her children and grandchildren to know how much she respected and loved them.

Passions, Faith, and Hobbies

Carmen embraced life with enthusiasm and endless curiosity. She became a certified SCUBA diver later in life and enjoyed diving in Bonaire. A master seamstress once employed by Singer, there was nothing she couldn't craft—from prom dresses and Easter outfits to quilts and curtains. Inheriting a passion for sports from her father, she adopted local teams wherever she lived and knew sports stats backward and forward. She was also an active member and leader with Weight Watchers and an avid Bridge player.

Raised Southern Baptist and identifying as a Mennonite later in life, Carmen's deep faith guided her path. She was a longtime member of Grace Chapel in Havertown, PA, whose support made her life-changing mission work with SEND in Thailand possible.

Memorial Contributions

In memory of Carmen’s passion for literacy and spiritual devotion, memorial donations may be made to:

1. EMM dba Neighbors Community Center, 450 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603 (supporting immigrant children learning to read).
2. Grace Chapel, 1 W. Eagle Rd., Havertown, PA 19083 (supporting spiritual community and global missions).