Marcia J. Smith, age 57, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Celina, OH, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2022, at Stonehill Care Center after a seven year struggle with Early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

To honor Marcia, a private celebration of life for family and close friends will be held at a later date.

Marcia was born on February 24, 1965, in Marshalltown, IA, a daughter to Gary and Jeannice (Kopecky) Ramsdell. She grew up in the Dubuque area, and while attending Hempstead H.S., she developed a love for foreign language through her French teacher Mrs. Bateman. She was able to spend time in France as an exchange student at 17, making life long connections there. Marcia earned her Bachelor's degree from Central College in Pella, IA, where she majored in French and English, and spent another semester abroad studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. She would later earn her Master's in Education from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. Her love for French and foreign languages would eventually lead her to become a teacher, teaching high school French and Spanish for 30 years. She began her teaching career in Lexington Park, Maryland at Great Mills H.S. where she met her future husband, Charles "Chuck" Smith, an English teacher. They eventually moved to Ohio and both taught at Celina High School from 1993-2017 while raising their daughter Camille (CHS,'14). In 2019, they moved back to Dubuque to be closer to Marcia's family.

Marcia was known by her loved ones as warm, thoughtful, witty, generous, and a bit mischievous. She loved her flower gardens, impressionist art, cooking and baking, 80's new wave music, traveling, British mystery novels, and all things French. She especially loved to send mail to her friends and family for every occasion year-round. Marcia was dedicated to loving those around her through everything she did. Her absence will be felt in our hearts, but the love she instilled in our lives will forever remain. All who knew Marcia were lucky to be touched by her joyful and gentle spirit. We will always cherish the memory of her.

Marcia is survived by her loving husband, Charles "Chuck" Smith, Dubuque, IA; her adored daughter, Camille Smith, Chicago, IL; her siblings, Lynette (Ahmed) Shabana, Naperville, IL; Lea Ann (Tom Lattik) Ramsdell, Baltimore, MD; Gary (Lee-Ann) Ramsdell, Kissimmee FL; Sara (Tom) Goffinet, Dubuque, IA; and Jay (Shauna) Ramsdell, Lenexa, KS; a brother-in-law, Roger Smith, Winchester, OH; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Marcia's name to your local Alzheimer's Association, or at ALZ.org.

Online condolences may be shared with Marcia's family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com.