In last week’s Catholic Star Herald, Msgr. Louis Marucci wrote an elegant and poignant memorial tribute to Lewis Katz. One of the companions on the airplane accident that took the life of Katz was Marcella Dalsey.
Marcy was born in Camden and raised in Pennsauken. Early in her life, she had a desire to help people who were less fortunate than she was. She was involved in charity work that included organizations such as the Food Bank of South Jersey, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, El Centro Comunal Borincano Day Care, Cooper University Hospital, the Haddonfield and Camden public school systems, the Community Resource Warehouse of Camden, the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County and Camden’s Charter School Network.
In March 2011, Marcy and Mr. Katz were awarded a charter by the New Jersey Department of Education to open the KATZ (Knowledge A To Z) Academy Charter School at the Parkside Boys and Girls Club facility. The school opened in September 2012.
At her memorial service, Marcy was described by Dr. Joseph Conway, chief school administrator of Camden’s Promise Charter Schools, as petite and powerful. Not only could she light up a room, he said, but she could power the entire city of Camden with her energy.
I never had the pleasure to meet Marcy and sitting at her memorial service attended by nearly 1,000 people, I felt deprived. However, I am fortunate to know her third child – Grace. Not only was Marcy passionate about the KATZ Academy Charter School, but she was even more passionate about her four children. She would talk to anyone and everyone about her children and about how proud she was of them.
In 1995 I was one of the co-founders of Camp No Worries, a week-long overnight summer camp for children with cancer, siblings and bereaved siblings. This extraordinary week provides children affected with this insidious disease an opportunity to be themselves, to be worry free, to have a camping experience full of activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, team building, camp fires, skits, songs and other frivolous games.
Grace Dalsey came to Camp No Worries in 2011. She was an instant hit. She was enthusiastic, fun, engaging and was an ideal role model for the campers she took under her wing. Her campers fell immediately in love with her and her co-counselors and staff realized we had a new treasure in the Camp No Worries family.
She was certainly not shy and her spontaneity was infectious. Last summer, we experienced rain and thunderstorms every single evening which led to the cancellation of every outdoor planned evening activity. Grace was instrumental in what we called “spontaneous dance parties,” an alternative and complementary music and dance activity under the roof of our dining hall.
I’m told that during the year, or the bland 51 weeks of “not-Camp No Worries,” Grace talks constantly about her experience at camp. This year as we mark our 20th year, Grace will be back for her fourth and, I hope, for many more subsequent years.
Grace must be just like her mother, Marcy. She shares a similar passion, energy, enthusiasm, a love of life and a joy in bettering the lives of children. Marcy was passionate about the children of Camden; Grace is passionate about children with cancer. According to Msgr. Michael Doyle, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, years ago Marcy would bring her four children to Sacred Heart on the day over 1,000 baskets full of food would be distributed to the poor of Camden at Christmas time. Thousands of volunteer hours go into setting up the baskets and hundreds of volunteers distribute these baskets in a massive display of love and service.
Through Grace, I know Marcy-a passionate and generous soul who strove for the betterment of children’s lives in Camden. Through Grace, I know Marcy-funny, spirited, energetic. Through Grace, I know Marcy-challenging each of us to give more of ourselves. Through Grace, Marcy lives on.
Rod J. Herrera is director, Office of Child and Youth Protection, Diocese of Camden.
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