Marcia Poliner Bidwill, 60 years old, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 after a 3 and a half year battle with inflammatory breast cancer. Marcia was born in New Haven, Connecticut on January 26, 1956 and was the oldest child of the late Dr. Irving Poliner, MD and Anne E. Poliner. At a young age she moved to Cape Elizabeth, Maine where she made many friends (several of whom remained her closest friends throughout her life) and began a childhood filled with wonderful memories. Marcia attended Cape Elizabeth schools and graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1974. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1978 and then moved to California.
While working in Los Angeles, Marcia's life changed forever when she met the love of her life and future husband, Brian Bidwill. Although they were living in California when they became engaged, there was never a question where they would be married. In 1987 they were married at the The Spurwink Church in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Marcia and Brian moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco where she continued her career in Human Resources with The Architects Collaborative. After the births of her beloved children Colleen and Kevin, she decided to change careers and became a Domestic Engineer. Her children brought her great joy. She loved attending their soccer, basketball, baseball games, school plays, recitals, and simply being Mom. Marcia's goal was to give her children a thousand kisses each and every day.
Although she lived in California her heart was always in Maine. When her children were born Marcia wanted them to experience life in her beloved hometown. For 25 consecutive summers, she and her family returned to Cape Elizabeth. During their summer visits, Marcia loved reliving her childhood with her family, whether it be swimming at Casino beach, walking through Fort Williams Park, borrowing a book from the Thomas Memorial Library, picking strawberries at Maxwell's farm or eating a jelly donut from The Cookie Jar. They stopped their summer visits only after Marcia became too ill to travel.
Marcia will be remembered for her gift of gab, her deep love of all things Maine and her fierce loyalty and love for her family and friends. She is predeceased by her father Dr. Irving Poliner, MD. She is survived by her beloved husband Brian of Greenbrae, her adored children Colleen and Kevin also of Greenbrae, her mother Anne of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, her fan club and siblings Chuck (Carrie) of Portland, Maine, Alison Moore (Dave) of Lee, New Hampshire, Barbara of Stratham, New Hampshire and Richard of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She also leaves her extended Bidwill family, many nieces, nephews, cousins and her special childhood friends: Wendy, Joni and Mame. Although she will be deeply missed we will take her along on our journeys.
Although Marcia did not want cancer to define her, she and her family are grateful for all the kindness and care she received from the staff at UCSF and more recently from Marin Hospice by the Bay.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 27th 2016 at 11 o'clock at St. Patrick's Church in Larkspur. A Celebration of Life reception will be held immediately afterwards at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross. At Marcia's request: please wear bright colors. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the Friend to Friend Gift shop at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (a one stop boutique for cancer patients) - friend2friend.org or Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, 330 Ocean House Rd, Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 - www.capelandtrust.org
