Marcia (Marci) David

Marcia (Marci) Marie David, 83, of Albany, NY, passed away on May 5th.

She was born November 15, 1942, the daughter of Abigail (Sackett) David and George Hamilton David.

Marci moved from Floral Park, NY to Albany in 1960. She earned a bachelor's degree in social science from SUNY Albany in 1964.

Marci worked as a Child Protective Supervisor for the Albany County Department of Social Services, Department of Children and Family Services for more than 25 years. She was described as a caring, compassionate advocate for children and their families, an anti-bureaucrat in a bureaucratic system, whose strength and kindness changed lives.

After she retired from her social work career, Marci took culinary classes at Schenectady Community College and embarked on a second career as a caterer. She was a generous culinary mentor to neighborhood teens, who remember with fondness helping in her wonderful kitchen to prepare for huge parties.

In 1977, Marci purchased the burned-out shell of a house at 54 Elm Street, damaged by the construction of the Empire State Plaza, and undertook the 20 year project of cleaning it out and rehabbing it, doing a significant amount of the work herself. She transformed her home and garden into a beautiful oasis, and went on to purchase additional properties on the same block.

In her home, Marci demonstrated her gift for gathering people, hosting countless generous parties and potlucks filled with the delicious food and the conversation of friends and neighbors. Her legendary Kentucky Derby parties were known for outrageous hats, mint juleps, pulled pork, and strawberry shortcake, a "bookie" for light-hearted betting, and cheering for the televised race. It's perhaps no coincidence that Derby Day 2025 was just two days before Marci's last.

Marci was an active and committed member of many local organizations, including the Historic Albany Foundation, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Friends of Schuyler Mansion, and the Mansion Neighborhood Association. She helped curate Cooks and Kitchens tours and opened her home for Movable Feast fundraisers. An environmentalist, sailor, canoer, and camper, she was committed to fundraising for North River Friends of Clearwater, which works to protect the Hudson River. Neighbors continue to enjoy the hundreds of daffodils she planted in public parks around the neighborhood.

Marci filled her life with the things she loved: books and book clubs, standard poodles, quality coffee, gardening/flowers, all things French (including a Bastille Day dinner with salade nicoise as its centerpiece), outings to Glimmerglass Opera, Italian classes, neighborhood yoga classes in her third floor home studio, good food, and friends.

She is survived by Kenneth Hammann III, whom she considered an adopted son, as well as a grandson, Kenny Hammann IV. She will be deeply missed by many as a beloved friend and iconic member of Albany's Mansion neighborhood.

A celebration of Marci's life will be held July 26 from 2-4 pm at the Woman's Club of Albany, 725 Madison Ave.

Donations in Marci's memory may be directed to Historic Albany Foundation.