Marcia Sydor, DTM, PID

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It is with deep sadness of the passing of Marcia Sydor on Wednesday July 13, 2016 @ 9:42pm PDT as she left this journey to join the “big guy upstairs” for the next phase of her eternal life. I’ll miss her much in the days ahead, but I know she no longer has the pain of wearing the oxygen for her “pulmonary fibrosis”. Please remember her in your prayers as she begins her next journey of life.

– Rick Sydor, DTM, PID


Dear Fellow Toastmasters and Friends,

On Wednesday, July 13 at 9:42pm, our beloved Marcia Sydor, DTM, PID, passed into the next journey of her life after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Marcia will be forever remembered as a pillar of District 39. Since joining Club # 985, Reveilliers as “Marc” in October, 1973, when women weren’t allowed to join, Marcia earned seven Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) awards, more than 20 Competent Communicator awards and countless advanced communication and leadership recognitions. Five years after becoming a Toastmaster, Marcia served as the 1978-1979 District 39 Governor. Her leadership theme for the year was, “Success Is a City in the State of the Mind. Together We Shall Succeed”.  During early 1980s, Marcia served as a Toastmasters International Director. Both then and now, Marcia was a steadfast proponent to the power of the Toastmasters program to change lives for the better.

Marcia served the members of District 39 as both historian and keeper of all things Toastmasters. Many District 39 Governors have been the recipients of Marcia’s coveted “yearbooks”. Collecting Toastmasters memorabilia and recording Toastmasters history was one of her life long passions.

No one was more dedicated to excellence than Marcia. Whether it was a speech evaluation, a leadership mentoring or a friendly reminder as a club member, Marcia’s advice brought out the best in us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marcia’s husband, Rick, and their family.

Marcia truly was the embodiment of the following words by our founder, Ralph C. Smedley,

“Here we are, with tremendous opportunity before us. I challenge you to get to work to bring us up to a higher level of service.  Let us share with others the benefits we have gained for ourselves”.

Thank you, Marcia, For setting an example we will follow for many, many years to come.

Sondra Nunez, DTM
2016-2017 District 39 Director
District 39 Toastmasters International