Marcia Thorp Baxter, 98, formerly of Chestnut Hill, a community volunteer, died March 24 at Keystone Hospice in Wyndmoor. She had been living at Springfield Residence since 2003.
Mrs. Baxter had been a volunteer for many years at Bird in Hand, a consignment shop in Chestnut Hill that benefits several community organizations, until failing eyesight caused her to retire.
Born in Cresson, Pa., she relocated with her family to Germantown and graduated from Germantown High School.
In the 1950s she and her husband, the late Joseph M. Baxter, purchased a lot in Chestnut Hill, where they built a home that was later featured in articles and house tours because of its “country kitchen” with rough-hewn beamed ceilings, wide plank floors and a masonry fireplace replete with cooking irons and a bread oven.
In addition to painting and “antiquing,” she enjoyed playing golf at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, where she was one of the oldest members. She also was a member of The Union League, the Questers, both the Germantown and Chestnut Hill Historical societies and the Woodmere Art Museum.
She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill.
Mrs. Baxter is survived by sons Jeffrey, of Hiram, Ga., and Justin, of Wyndmoor; a daughter, Jennifer B Morrison, of Devon; six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, at St. Paul's Church, with interment in the church's columbarium. Memorial donations may be made to the animal welfare society of the donor's choice. – WF
