Marcia STROUD

STROUD, Marcia a wife and homemaker, has died at Westminster Suncoast on May 13, 2023, at the age of 95. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Jesse H. Stroud; her parents, Harold and Priscilla Markell; and her brother, Robert Markell. Her children and several of her grandchildren were at her bedside in the last days of her life. Mrs. Stroud was born in Buffalo, New York, on February 4, 1928, and spent her childhood in Buffalo. She attended and graduated from Oldfields School in Baltimore, Maryland, (1942-1946). During WWII, Marcia's father, Harold Markell (Naval Academy, 1920), was stationed as an executive officer at Pier 92 in New York City. Upon graduation from Oldfields, Marcia lived with her parents in New York City, moving with them to St. Petersburg, Florida, where her father had relocated to oversee the startup of a fledging airline freight company. In St. Petersburg, Marcia met and married businessman Jesse Stroud. Marcia and Jesse married in 1950 and had four children. The family settled in the Bahama Shores area of St. Petersburg, where they lived and raised their family. Marcia anchored the homestead, caring for the four children and in later years, her parents. Marcia and Jesse belonged to St. Petersburg County Club (Lakewood) where she was an avid tennis and bridge player. Marcia also enjoyed swimming, fishing, water skiing, biking, and annual summer trips to North Carolina. Marcia and Jesse were also members of the Buckateers Club and St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Marcia was known for her sense of humor, her contagious laugh, and a killer tennis serve. Jesse and Marcia were a true love match which lasted until Jesse's death in 2010, after 60 years of marriage. Marcia is survived by her daughters, Cindy Pitt (Ian Klein) and Leslie McKeon (Kevin), of St. Petersburg; her sons, J. Mark Stroud (Celeste), of St. Petersburg, and Todd Stroud (Marianne), of Miami, Florida; and her beloved grandchildren, Greg Pitt Jr. (Sarah), Brian Pitt (Jamie), Kyle McKeon (Amanda), Casey Jorgensen (Grady), Mark Stroud Jr. (Keally), Haley Clark (Banner), Caroline Stroud, Jessica Stroud, Alexandra Franklyn (Jarred), Chelsea Glass (Daniel), and Stone Stroud. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. A private, family memorial service will be held at a later date at Bay Pines National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Suncoast Hospice Foundation.