Marceline J. Luca-Downie

Marceline J. Luca-Downie, age 91, went into the loving arms of Jesus after a brief illness, on the afternoon of Sunday September 21, 2025. Marcie was born June 3, 1934 in Lorain, Ohio in a house four doors down from Holy Trinity Church. She attended Holy Trinity Church and Grade School as a youth and was a 1952 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy. She furthered her education with classes at Lorain County Community College as an adult. Throughout her life, she resided in Cleveland, Avon Lake, and Lorain. In her early adult life, Marcie worked as an interviewer for the Ohio State Employment Office, as a long-distance operator for the Lorain Telephone Company, and as an office clerk for Magic Chef/Stove Works. In 1981, she began employment with the Lorain Board of Education. There, she served as a secretary at the Lorain City Schools Print Shop, as a school secretary at Lorain Southview High School, and as registration and records secretary at the Charleston Administration Building. She retired in 2009. In her retirement, Marcie enjoyed working for Jean Tishma at the Village Resale Shop. Marcie was very active in numerous community organizations. She was a Girl Scout Leader for Troop 603 of the Erie Shores Council at St. Anthony School for many years. She was a member of St. Ann’s Lodge, Branch #114 of the First Slovak Catholic Ladies Union, Jednota Branch #228, and the American Slovak Home. During her journey with breast cancer in 2000, she belonged to the support group Bosom Buddies. Marcie was a member of the Lorain Schools Retired Secretaries Group. She belonged to the Lorain Senior Center and the YMCA in Avon. She was also a member of the French Creek YMCA, supplying countless items to the needy through the Caps and Laps Knitting Group. A devout Catholic all her life, Marcie enjoyed membership in two parishes as an adult. She was a member of St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sheffield Village when her brother, Rev. Fr. Edward Luca, JCD served as pastor in the 1990s. She was a greeter at the 11a.m. Mass and was a member of their Altar and Rosary Society. In 2013, she returned to St. Anthony of Padua Church, where she was a member of the Marian Guild (Vice President in 2016) and the Paduan Travelers. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and frequented Our Lady of the Lake Chapel. She was also a Cursillista, making Cursillo #171. Marcie enjoyed reading, shopping, knitting, puzzles, casino junkets, traveling, working in her yard, baking specialty cakes, and walking. She loved having a house full of family and friends and they looked forward to her pizzelles, chocolate chip cookies, and Slovak creations! She was a devoted friend. Years ago, she was a nanny for the Mackin Family –Margie, Kathy, Carol, Anthony, Pat, and John. She held a special place in her heart for each of them and their dad, Patrick Mackin who was a classmate at St. Mary’s Academy. Late in life, she rekindled a friendship with Karl Kalivoda, another St. Mary’s classmate. She and Karl loved to take day trips around the area and spent time together doing all sorts of crafts. They delighted in gifting their creations to others. Marcie’s family was her greatest joy and she cherished them all! She is survived by her children - Timothy H. Downie of Lynnwood, Washington and Maureen T. Slaven (Mark) of Wheaton, Illinois; her grandchildren – Brian H. Downie (Maddy), Sarah Luca Slaven, Quinn Downie, and twins Anthony and Joseph Slaven; her brother – Raymond J. Luca (Maggi) of Springfield, Virginia; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marcie was preceded in death by her parents – Mary Ann (nee Stohla) and John Frank Luca; and her siblings – Fr. Edward Luca, JCD and Bernadette (Albert) Robertson. Visitation will be observed on Monday October 6, 2025 in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – 1305 East Erie Avenue in Lorain from 10:00 a.m. until her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Edward Smith, Pastor of the parish will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind. To share your memories and condolences with Marcie’s family, please visit Marceline’s tribute page at www.gluvnashimohromada.com

Marceline J. Luca-Downie

June 3, 1934 - September 21, 2025