On April 14, 2026, Marcella JoAnn Hershey passed peacefully from this world to the next surrounded by family and friends in her home at Ephrata Manor. She was an affable, considerate, kind, intelligent, and strong person. Everyone who met Marcella—only three days shy of her 88th birthday when she passed—loved her immediately.
Marcella/Marcy/Mom/Nan was born in Columbia, PA to Edward and Janet (Snyder) Zercher. She was one of five children and grew up at 842 Wright Street. One of Marcy’s fondest childhood memories was accompanying her father on his produce route. She was educated at Holy Trinity School and Lancaster Catholic High School. Following high school graduation in 1956, Marcy went on to study at Millersville State College and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960.
On January 2, 1960, Marcy was married to Wayne Hershey and began a 66-year journey as partners, professionals, and parents. Marcy brought Eric and Hilary into the world. Later, she became a grandmother to Sam and Emily.
Professionally, Marcy enjoyed a 32-year career as a teacher. She enriched and influenced the lives of numerous Lancaster County students as an elementary school teacher with the Columbia Borough School District and as a Reading Specialist with the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13.
Marcy was not one to seek the limelight, but she took immense personal pride in receiving a 2015 commendation from Governor Tom Wolf for 50 years of voting in every election. Marcy maintained that perfect voting record for 10 more years—casting her last ballot in 2025.
A great joy of Marcy’s was traveling by car and camper with her family during summer breaks from school. Marcy ventured to all 50 states, all the Canadian provinces, and Mexico—visiting, exploring, and patronizing countless U.S. National Parks during her travels.
Marcy was always very active—enjoying ballet, tap dance, cheerleading, square dancing, and swimming (winning many awards in her retirement years). She loved being in the mountains (especially their cabin in Sullivan County) and at the beach (the Delaware Shore was her favorite). She was an avid cook and baker—always prepared with “tuts” of leftovers for everyone to take home. Family, friends, and strangers alike were spoiled by Marcy’s trademark Sugar Cakes at Christmas and Shifters throughout the year!
Marcy was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church her entire life. She was an active parishioner involved with Fastnacht Making, Chicken BAR-B-QUEs, Sub Sales, Yard Sales and Church Cleaning. Marcy also served as Secretary for the Parish Pastoral Council and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Marcy is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years Wayne, her children Eric (Becky) and Hilary (Nicki Meoli), her grandchildren Sam Hershey and Emily Hershey (Jay Winkleman). She is also survived by her sister J. Lane Zercher, her brother John Zercher (Sandy), and a host of extended family and friends.
Marcy was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Janet Zercher, her brother Edward Zercher, Jr., her sister Amelia Moser, and her brother Cleon Zercher.
Marcy’s immediate family invites all who knew and loved her to join them at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026 for a Funeral Mass at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA 17512. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Marcy’s name to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (https://holytrinitycolumbiapa.com) or to The Columbia Food Bank (https://columbiafoodbank.org). These organizations were near and dear to Marcy’s heart.
