SOUTH THOMASTON — Marcia Jo Baum Whitten, 72, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, Friday, August 25, 2023 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Rockland, November 19, 1950, she was the daughter of Joseph Thomas ‘Bud’ Baum, Jr. and Verna Waldron Baum. Growing up in South Thomaston on Pepperhill Farm, Marica was educated locally, graduating from Rockland High School, class of 1969.

A hard worker her entire life, Marcia has held many different positions throughout her career but has focused much of her time on customer service in the banking industry.

For several years she was employed with New England Telephone as a switchboard operator. After the closing of that office, she began at Camden National Bank before moving to Maine National Bank. At the merger of Maine National Bank and Fleet, Marcia spent many years at Fleet Bank, finishing her banking career with Rockland Savings Bank.

Marcia’s smiling face and warm heart led her to continue in the customer service field, as she worked for the office of Dr. William Barbour at Glen Cove Dental as both the office manager and patient finance. Most recently she has been the friendly voice on the end of the phone at the Pen Bay Medical Center Switchboard.

When not busy working, Marcia was an active member of the community, with over 29 years of service in Rockland Kiwanas Club, serving as past president and a board member. She also delivered Meals-On-Wheels for over 29 years. She began volunteering with the Lobster festival in 1989 and has remained active, continuing as a participant until 2015. In 2003 she joined the American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed the many friends she made there. She was also an active member of the Peoples United Methodist Church in her beloved town of South Thomaston. She was proud to be a life-long resident of the Keag Village, a place very near and dear to her heart.

Marcia started each day with a morning walk with her favorite music in her ears. She believed it made each day better and it was important to her to begin her day that way. Music has always been a special part of her life. When her children were little, they all enjoyed ‘dance parties’ in their living room, and in her own words, Marcia has been ‘dancing like no one was watching ever since’!

Anyone who knows Marcia knows she was a huge New England Patriots fan. Although the team has changed over the years, Mike Vrable has always been a constant in her fandom, and he was her favorite player.

She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her parents; Marcia is survived by her children, Lisa Whiten Brooks and Michael Whitten; her granddaughters, Ava Jo Brooks and Lyla Starr Brooks; her siblings, Brenda Calderwood, Joseph T. Baum, III and his wife Lynda all of South Thomaston; her nieces and nephews, Robert Calderwood, Jr. and his wife Michelle of Ohio, Stephen Calderwood and his wife Le Ann of Maine, Timothy Calderwood and his wife Heather of Massachusetts, Bryan Calderwood and his wife Tammy of South Thomaston, Keely Widdecombe and her husband Travis of South Thomaston, Joseph T. ‘Tucker’ Baum, IV and his wife Jessica of South Thomaston; many special friends, her church family and her Legion family; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and a large, loving extended family.

A celebration of Marcia’s life will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Peoples United Methodist Church, 13 Chapel Street, South Thomaston, with a reception following from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, 335 Limerock Street, Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, Maine 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with the Whitten family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.