Obituary of Marcia L. Nenno

Marcia L. Nenno Cuba, NY Marcia Louise Nenno died Sunday (December 6, 2020) after an over 30-year battle with cancer, and a variety of other illnesses. She was born February 15, 1935 to Louis and Elna Simms Nenno in Allegany. At age three, her family moved to Songbird Road in Bradford, Pa. She attended Custer City elementary school and graduated as salutatorian from Bradford High School, class of 1953. She entered the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie, Pa. right out of high school. She taught in Erie and Ridgeway schools, the last being the Villa Maria Academy in Erie. She then graduated with a master's degree in biology from St. Bonaventure University. In 1975, she joined the Peace Corps and spent two years teaching high school in Western Samoa. Upon returning to the United States, she decided to leave the convent and started her career with the American Cancer Society. She held many positions with the Cancer Society, retiring as a vice president in Tampa, Florida. At one time she was in charge of the educational programs for the ACS for all states west of the Mississippi, including Hawaii, Alaska and American Samoa. She headed many programs in the area of smoking prevention. She prided herself as being an enemy of Big Tobacco, working hard to ban smoking in all public places. She had many successes in her quest, even in the Big Tobacco states. She retired to Alexandria, Virginia so she could be near one of her favorite places, Washington, D.C. She loved to give tours to her friends and relatives. She then moved to Fredericksburg, Va., but continued to spend time in D.C. She traveled the world, planning her own trips. She went to Kenya, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and Russia on her own, and in 1989, for her mother’s 80th birthday, she took the family to Europe for three weeks. She was very independent and capable of doing anything she set her heart on. Four years ago she decided, because of health concerns, to move to Cuba Lake to be near family. Over her years, Marcia made many friends with whom she stayed in contact by phone, computer and mail. Her friends were from high school, the convent, the Peace Corps and ACS. Three days before she died a call came in from New Zealand letting her know that one of her close friends had just died. She was the elder cousin of both the Nenno and Simms family and she had enjoyed visiting and corresponding with her many cousins. She is survived by her two brothers, James (Hilda) Nenno of Belleview, Fl. and Michael (Martha) Nenno of Cuba; her favorite nephews, Ronald (Brenda), Kevin (Marie) and Todd (Jackie Pena), and several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, and a nephew, Joseph. There will be no service at this time because of COVID, but there will be a memorial service next summer after all have been vaccinated and all are safe. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Roswell Park Cancer 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY 14203, or a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.