Background
Born
Marcia Moore was born on May 22, 1928 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and grew up in the historic town of Concord. "The earliest settlers, who gave it a name meaning harmony," Marcia once described.
Education
Marcia Moore descended from a long line of Harvard alums, and is a Radcliffe graduate, Phi Beta Kappa, "the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and its most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity."
Parents
Marcia's parents Eleanor and Robert were married in 1924. Robert Lowell Moore or “Bobby” was an entrepreneur who co-founded the Sheraton Hotel chain. Eleanor Moore “Elly or Ellie,” did a lot of charitable work. In 1964 they were recognized as Concord’s “most honored citizens,” for their contributions to the hospital, Unitarian church, and town library, among other charitable works. Together they helped co-found Meditation Mount, a haven for spiritual meditation in Ojai, California.
Factoid: Close to both grandmothers, during WWII, both grandmothers lived with Marcia and her family in Massachusetts.
Siblings
Marcia Moore had three brothers:
An author of celebrated novels, the eldest was also a part-time columnist who dabbled in politics.
A member of Mensa, her middle brother was a successful geologist.
The youngest was an attorney who handled the family trusts.
Accomplishments
Marcia's mother was a gifted artist who wrote and illustrated many books—including her last about the island of Aruba.Eleanor Moore also opened the guesthouse, dubbed the "Barnacle," to painters and sculptors to use as an art studio and give classes—at the Moore family's summer home, the Cuttyhunk Club, in Massachusetts overlooking Vineyard Sound. Friends and family who came to visit would enjoy such activities as motorboat riding, a good swim, or picnicking. Their clever doormat wrote “Moore Fun.”Doing things like buying clothes for needy children, and sponsoring foreign students through culinary school in the U.S., gained Eleanor Moore such a reputation for helping others, that people took to calling her “Mother Moore.” Some of the clubs Marcia's mother belonged to included:Concord Women's ClubLeague of Women VotersLadies Tuesday ClubEmerson Hospital AuxillaryThe Concord Antiquarian SocietyIn addition Marcia's mother was instrumental in:Helped initiate the Concord “Declaration of Goodwill.”On board of directors at Cuttyhunk Methodist Church.Co-founded Thoreau Lyceum, a museum and repository of Henry David Thoreau memorabilia.
