MARCIA GRABILL SICARD ADAMS

MARCIA GRABILL SICARD ADAMS, 75, of Fort Wayne, died on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at Lutheran Hospital. Born April 12, 1935, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Merle and Esther (Man ahan) Grabill. In her early childhood she lived for a time in Angola and later on the family farm near Flint, Ind. After graduation from Orland High School with honors, she attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority and was active in The Literary Society. She was married to Armand Sicard of Butler, by whom she had one son, Gerard, who preceded her in death in 1993. Later she married Richard G. Adams. In addition to her parents and son, she was also preceded in death by a brother Gayle Grabill. Her strong effervescent personality and positive approach to life enabled her to be a popular friend to many around the country and drove her to serve as a community leader. Well organized, she was a member of many philanthropic groups including board level appointments to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and the Fort Wayne Ballet. Marcia was instrumental in the community fund drives that led to the building of the Fort Wayne Performing Arts Center and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art She received the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest award the governor of Indiana can bestow upon a private citizen. She was also a member of the Indiana Arts Commission, the First Presbyterian Church, and the YWCA. She spent her later years at The Town House where she enjoyed developing perennial flower borders and landscaping projects on the grounds. A nationally recognized American food historian, she wrote six popular prize-winning Amish and Midwestern style cookbooks published by Crown of New York. The books were then produced by her on Public Television at both WBGU-TV in Bowling Green and Maryland Public Television. The series aired in every Public Television network in the country, and she much appreciated her loyal fans. Later while waiting for a heart transplant she published two journals, Heart to Heart, and Heart Anew. Her experience with heart disease and a successful heart transplant was also produced as a Public Television documentary for which she received the renowned Telly Award. All of her PBS work was also shown around the world on the Armed Forces Network. She was also honored by the YWCA as a Hidden Heroine for her behind the scenes work to bring increased awareness to the issue of women's heart disease. Among her plethora of interests were collecting 20th Century Art, Works on Paper, and traveling extensively abroad, having visited all seven continents. She is survived by her brother Gordon (Janet) Grabill of Angola; one grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. At her request, there will be a Celebration of Life memorial gathering of family and friends at a later date. Interment in Lindenwood Cemetery will also occur at a later time with family and selected friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the YWCA of Northeast Indiana, 1610 Spy Run Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46808; or the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.sheetsandchilds.net