Marcia Janet Clay

June 13, 1944 - October 21, 2021

Marcia M Clay of Cary, NC, passed away in her home while sleeping on Thursday October 21, 2021. Marcia was born in 1944 in Manlius, NY and is survived by her daughter Karen, her son-in-law Bryan, her son Randy, daughter-in-law Jenny, and three grandchildren Zoë, Bryce, and McKenzie. She is preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Margaret Manning, brother Don Manning, and husband Kenneth Clay. She also had too many significant family, friends, and relationships to enumerate whom she cared deeply for and played an important part in her life journey. She grew up in Manlius, NY and graduated from Fayetteville Manlius High School in 1962 before moving to Miami, Florida where she met and married Ken Clay and started her family. She supported Ken through his struggles with cancer that led to his death in 1979 and raising her two children on her own. She then faced her own battle with both ovarian and breast cancer. Despite these hardships, her spirit was indomitable. She was brave and adventurous. Although afraid of heights, she rode in a hot air balloon in GA, took a helicopter ride over a volcano, and she even went zip lining in Costa Rica when she was 74. She went on a safari in Africa. She traveled to Tahiti, Jamaica, and Europe. She drove 13,000 miles from Atlanta to Alaska and back in a van. The beach on the Big Island of Hawaii was her happy place. She was often seen zipping around Cary in her bright red convertible with the top down. She managed to bring a smile and a positive attitude with her every day, and an open, generous heart to others, especially those in need, whether they were family, friends, or strangers. Animal sightings - even deer and hummingbirds - thrilled her. She watched every event of her beloved grandchildren she could, even if it was cold, rainy, or a two-hour drive. A Celebration of her Life (with reception to follow) is planned for Friday, Oct 29th at 2:00 at Crowder Park (Heron Shelter) in Apex, NC. All are welcome to attend (although please try to let us know as we are looking to supply her favorite BBQ and chocolate for the event!). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to a cause you associate with her, NC Wildlife Federation (https://ncwf.org) or Urban Ministries of Wake County (https://urbanmin.org). Per her wishes, her ashes will be scattered at the beach.