10/23/2025
In Loving Memory
Marcia (Gryska) Corsi
July 10, 1948 - October 20, 2025
Marcia (Gryska) Corsi died peacefully on October 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of her girls and family.
Marcia was born on July 10, 1948, in Pittston, PA, to Mark and Sophie (Grundowski) Gryska. She was a beloved first child, especially to her grandparents who visited their home often, on the banks of the Susquehanna River. It was a very special place and time to the family. Four years later, her very best friend and sister, Laura, was born. They had a tremendously beautiful relationship later in life, as they cared for their parents and each other in the way only sisters do.
The family relocated to New Hartford, NY, when her father became Chief Photographer at WKTV. It was a role that exemplified his devotion, commitment, and professionalism to his work, but more so to humanity. These were traits that influenced Marcia and created the foundation of who she was. Everyone who knew her knew that side of her and loved her dearly for it.
When her two brothers were born, Mark, and Carl, the family was complete. Marcia and her parents and siblings, and their eventual spouses, Ellen and Gerardo, remain exceptionally close to this day.
Marcia left the nest to attend school in Boston. She fell in love with that city, embracing the life of a young woman there. Afterwards, she moved to Buffalo to complete her undergrad degree in English. There, she met and fell in love with her first husband, Mac McGrath. Together, they had her beloved four girls, Brigitte, Catherine, Darien, and Erin.
Marcia faced many challenges following the end of her marriage as she became the sole caretaker of her girls. There were times she went hungry to feed them. In a particularly miraculous event, the girls found a $50 bill tucked in a box of turnips at the local grocery. After waiting several days, she had the girls go back and buy a turnip and take the money. She was able to pay the rent that week, and they ordered a pizza for dinner. It was a formative experience for everyone. You will still hear the girls say “turnips” when life feels bleak.
Eventually, she brought her girls back to her hometown, where they all flourished. Her parents and their home in New Hartford provide a safe space for them to begin to recover from that trauma. It was there that Marcia began working at UCP in Oneida county, and found her calling working with the developmentally disabled. She made beautiful, lifelong friends there.
Eventually, she decided to go back to school for her Master’s degree in Special Education. She drove to Albany several nights a week, after a full work day. The girls learned to be more self-sufficient, but more importantly, they learned not to let anything stop you. Be true to your heart and chase your dreams. She showed them that they could conquer any challenge by setting that example.
Marcia used that hard earned Master’s degree and began her work as a Special Education Teacher. She bonded with the children she taught and many of their mothers, as could relate to their struggle. Because of this, she became a trusted, honorary member of many families. She was never happier in a workplace.
Everywhere Marcia went, she made friends. It irritated her children that they could not go anywhere without her interacting with strangers. But eventually they learned to appreciate this remarkable side of her.
Marcia was the most generous soul, and she would give anyone the shirt off her back. After her retirement, she spent time volunteering, taking care of her aging parents, as well as Brigitte’s children, Dylan and Claire Shepard, and Darien’s boys, Enrique and Marcus. She treasured the time she spent with them. Later, when Erin’s son Gabriel was born, she spent more time with them as a family. And when her step-granddaughter, Jessica Molina, had her beautiful children, Gabriel, Nina, and Jackson, she again found that joy of watching them learn and grow. She absolutely and unconditionally adored them all. And most of them surrounded her bedside the day she died, returning that special love only grandparents and grandchildren share. It makes her girls very proud.
In 2012, Marcia was diagnosed with breast cancer. And true to her spirit, she fought like hell, and made a full recovery. Her girls were by her side the whole way, even during the chemo treatments in Syracuse. They continued to learn from her.
Marcia faced many challenges, and her children knew that better than any others ever could. But, her love, fortitude and tenacity get her through. As she aged, she mellowed like a fine wine. Her girls loved spending more time with her, which sometimes led to arguments over who would. When they could not be with her, they talked to her daily. She became her girl's best friend.
In January, Marcia was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She was scared, but quickly shifted into her fight mode. And boy did she fight. The last 9 months of her life were a near constant battle. But she never quit. That simply was not who she was. And when she struggled to get out of the house, her friends kept her spirit up with so many cards, flowers, and phone calls. She would tell her girls all about them. She knew she was so loved.
Marcia is survived by her children, Brigitte McGrath (Joe Atkinson), Catherine McGrath (Keith Johnson Jr.), Darien Molina (Enrique (Rick) Molina), and Erin McGrath (Mark Ross), her grandchildren, Dylan and Claire Shepard, Enrique, Marcus, and Jessica Molina, and Gabriel Pawluk, and her brothers and their spouses, Mark Gryska (Ellen) and Carl Gryska (Gerardo Regalodo), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins who she also loved dearly. She is predeceased by her parents, Mark and Sopie Gryska, and her sister, Laura Gallant.
There are no words to express the gratitude the girls have for the amazing relationships she had with her friends Kathy (Forward) O’Malley, Sue Allen, Barb Clovic, Angela Morton, Mary and Becky Hosey, and her very best friend, Joyce Burke, who traveled near and far with Marcia and spoke with her every morning. There are so many others, and the love and support they showered on Marcia and her girls will never be forgotten. Lastly, Marcia leaves behind her constant companion, Chloe, who has been by her side since her breast cancer.
We would like to say a special thank you to the many healthcare professionals who provide love and support throughout our mother’s life especially Dr Oleg Dulkin, who saved her life in many ways over the years and became family, the wonderful team at Upstate Cancer Center in Oneida, and the amazing team that took care of all of us in the ED and in the Neuro ICU at Upstate Hospital, especially Donna, Antonio, and Grace.
There will be a Catholic Celebration of her Life, on Friday, October 24, at 4:00 pm, at LaRobardiere Funeral Home, 109 Main Street Camden, NY. There are no calling hours. Interment will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marcia’s honor to Upstate Cancer Center, or Wonder’s Rest in Canastota, wanderersrest.org, a no-kill animal shelter.
