Obituary of Marcia Ferguson Traer

Marcia Ferguson Traer, April 16th 1936 - May 16, 2014 Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, Colleague, Teacher, Psychologist Born in Cleveland Ohio to Ruth Gates (Merritt) and Morton Traer. Marcia grew up in Oak Park, IL, with her mother and sister, Ann Merritt (Traer) McCue, attending Oak Park-River Forest High School. Her mother's parents were William Henry Merritt and Anna Esther Wright. Her father's parents were Glenn Wood Traer and Ida Solberg. She attended Wells College in Aurora, N.Y. from 1954-1956, when she and her mother, with whom she had a close relationship, moved to Tucson for her mother's health. Marcia proudly called Tucson home for over 55 years. After arriving in Tucson, she began a long association with the University of Arizona where she obtained a B.A. degree in English. Also at the U of A, she obtained her Doctorate in Psychology in 1976. She worked part or full time while in school (part of that as a TA at the U of A where she taught Psych 101), while raising two children as a single parent. After an internship at Palo Verde Hospital, she gained employment at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Tucson as a psychologist, rising to become Department Head of the Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program, a position she held for 10 years. She received numerous awards and appointments at the federal, state, and local level for her evolutional thinking, leadership and ability to be a beacon of light for soldiers whose lives were shattered by alcohol and drug addiction. She was especially active with Vietnam vets, whose testament changed her life immeasurably. Marcia was active in many diverse communities. From hosting Dr. Martin Luther King in her home in the early sixties to campaigning for local and national members of the Democratic Party, she was a fierce political junkie who never voted a straight ticket in her life. The last campaigns she was involved in (after the age of 70) were for Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and President Barak Obama, but she proudly worked for local GOP Iris Dewhirst's campaign in the '80s. On May 31, 2013, Marcia celebrated 50 years of continuous sobriety through membership in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, the "Lodge". She deeply believed in the traditions of AA and never failed to make her opinion known if there was a matter that would, in her estimation, violate one of them. She helped many individuals find their own way and become happy, productive members of society. With her quick and abiding sense of humor and social graces, her life was mainly devoted to her family and the service of others. She believed in and lived an ethic of giving, actively dedicating years in service work as an AA member. She also offered dedicated support to numerous charities and to Grace-St. Paul's Episcopal, of which she was a longtime member. Her sometimes frustrating stubbornness was known by many, as was her willingness to go to any length for what she believed was right. Marcia had an abundant life. She was a fervent supporter of the University of Arizona Men's Basketball team and a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox, having enjoyed many games at Comiskey Park as a child. She was a lover of dogs and treasured the 7 she shared her home with through the years. Marcia is survived by two children, Elizabeth Jones Fairchild of Tucson and Dr. Dean Gordon Fairchild of Laveen, AZ and a loving Son-in-law (Dean's husband John Hampton Knight). She had two beautiful grandchildren whom she adored, Stella Fairchild-Parks of Tucson and Lily Fairchild-Parks (deceased). She is also survived by loving relatives: Cousin Tom Merritt of St. Charles IL, nephew Peter McCue of St. Louis, MO, niece Anne (McCue) Simonini of Texas, niece Dale (McCue) Castle of Kentucky, Robbinn O'Connor of North Carolina and her grand-nieces and nephews all over the US, as well as some recently born great-grand nieces and nephews. There will be a visitation at Bring's Funeral Home, 236 S. Scott Ave. Tucson on Friday evening May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. with light hors d'oeuvres. All are welcome. The Burial of the Dead with Holy Communion will be offered at Grace-St. Paul Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams, Tucson, at 2 p.m. with refreshments immediately afterwards, followed by graveside prayers at Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 North Oracle Road Tucson. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army of Tucson. "More will be revealed."