Marcia Tuells Samuel

Marcia Tuells (MacDonald) Samuel, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at South Kingstown Nursing and Rehab. She was the loving wife of James “Al” Alvin Samuel, Jr. for 46 years. Born in Medford, MA on August 22, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Chandler Francis and Irma (MacDonald) Tuells.

Marcia was a role model to many, as she was not only beautiful but intelligent, talented, and caring. She worked as an Executive Secretary for a number of years at Allied Chemical in Morrristown, New Jersey. During her time there, she was the Women’s Tennis Singles Champion for a long reign, thanks in part to her wicked serve. Following her work career, she went to the County College of Morris and earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science. She continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson working on a degree in computer sciences. Not long after that, Marcia and Al owned and managed Mail Boxes Etc. In Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After selling their franchise, Marcia and Al moved to Westerly, Rhode Island, where Marcia started a new career as a tax preparer at H&R Block. She was employed at HRB as a tax preparer and was an IRS certified enrolled agent.

Marcia loved her gardens, and her perennial gardens were real showstoppers. She took great pride in her creative yet natural looking gardens about her home. Marcia was a talented artist, enjoying painting with oils on canvas. Her favorite subjects were flowers, still life, and landscapes.

Onset Island, just off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was a place of refuge for Marcia. Enjoying the cottage her father, Chandler, built for his family, she water skied, dug for quahogs at low tide and took her daughters fishing for flounder. The Island, reachable only by small boats with outboard motors, was free from many mainland distractions, allowing for quality family time and competitive games of Contract Rummy among 3 generations.

Marcia was an animal lover. She loved her Old English Sheepdogs Mac and Appy. Later in life, she and Al had cats, Sammy and Chloe. Marcia loved when the neighbor’s cat, Ginger, came to visit daily, for his treats and pets.

Marcia and Al belonged to Surfside 8 Square Dance Club. She loved dancing with her club and traveling to visit with other clubs.

Marcia loved spending time with her grandsons Zach and Josh. She introduced them to bocce and croquet in her backyard, and Uno at the beach was a favorite of everyone. Days spent at Westerly Town Beach with Gramma and Grampa were always a summer highlight. Marcia was a kid at heart, joining her grandsons in backyard Easter egg hunts and playing Mario Party on her home Nintendo system.

Family was most important to Marcia. She hosted beautiful dinners with flowers from her gardens adorning the table, and she was a gracious hostess. Gracious with a fun side, everyone knew the fun was sure to begin once the Manhattans were served. She will be truly missed at future family gatherings.

Besides her husband Al, she leaves her daughters Glenda Spivey Robair and her husband Kurt and Pamela Joyce Dings; grandchildren Zachary Michael Spivey and his wife Margaret (Huston), Joshua Matthew Spivey and his fiancée Katie Moskey, and Caitlin Robair; sisters Joyce C. (Tuells) Killingsworth and Wanda F. (Tuells) Anderson, niece Sarah C. Killingsworth and her family, and nephews William Robert Killingsworth, III and Alec Andersen.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St. Westerly, RI is assisting the family with arrangements.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com.