Obituary of Marsha Anne Fausti

Marsha Anne Fausti is the youngest child of the late Bertram Leroy Moore of Spartansburg, SC, and Mary Willie Mills Moore of Prudence, WV.  Marsha was born February 13, 1948, in Mt. Hope, WV and peacefully transitioned on February 16, 2022.

From the beginning, Marsha excelled at whatever she put her mind to.  She graduated a year early at 17 years old from Mt. Hope High School as the class salutatorian (2^nd Highest GPA in her class).  She also participated in the marching band, was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, served as President of the Spanish Club, and was a member of the National Honor Society, while receiving awards in school for her language, typing and shorthand proficiency as well as receiving a Business Education Award from the Mt. Hope Federated League.  Marsha’s Church life began early as a member of 1^st Baptist Church of Mt. Hope where she sang in the youth choir and was a member of the Baptist Youth Fellowship.

Upon graduating from Mt. Hope High, Marsha opted to forgo a full scholarship at West Virginia University as certain limitations / stipulations were embedded in the offer.  Marsha stood on her principles which was the impetus for her transition to Washington, D.C. where she leveraged her exceptional typing and shorthand skills to quickly obtain employment as a secretary with several federal agencies. 

Marsha met and married Odyssey Egans Gray Jr. and had two children, Odyssey Egans Gray, III and Monica Charisse Parchment.  Marsha and Odyssey parted in 1975 and Marsha assumed the role of single parent.  Driven to provide all that was needed for her children and more, Marsha continued seeking out better secretarial jobs until her intelligence and quick study capability led her to finding work as a legal secretary.  Her pursuit of better opportunities led to her employment as a legal secretary with the law firm Bowman Conner Touhey and Petrillo where she met the love of her life, John Joseph Fausti whom she married in July 1987.

Before wedding John, however, Marsha steadfastly dedicated every ounce of her time, energy and spirit into raising Odyssey and Monica.  While she first resided in Washington D.C. upon leaving Mt. Hope, she ultimately moved to and remained in Maryland, initially and primarily to find the best educational opportunities for her children.  She supported and encouraged their efforts, applauded their successes, empathized and provided compassion when goals weren’t met or disappointments endured.  Marsha pushed their experience and belief to be one without limits, only those set by themselves.  Her love for her children was unparalleled and unconditional.

The only type of love that compares is that between a husband and a wife.  As Marsha Fausti, Marsha shared this same depth of love with John, who was on the fast track to partner when they met at Bowman Conner.  A cornerstone of true love is the desire to want the best for those you love.  Marsha’s love for John pushed his ascent to and beyond the role of partner at the firm where they met to the opening of the doors of his own law firm.  Loving Odyssey and Monica as his own, John not only shared the fruits borne out of the success of his firm with his family, but also supported the endeavors undertaken by Odyssey and Monica, from high school and beyond. 

In the same way Marsha pushed John to his success, John pushed Marsha towards hers as he understood her long-standing desire to complete her education, but which was put on the back burner to ensure that her children had all they needed and more.  As the children started to spread their wings and leave the nest, John continually encouraged Marsha to follow her dreams and complete her education.  Marsha jumped back into the classroom via Montgomery College and resumed her scholastic excellence as evidenced by her inclusion in the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, in 1989, as the result of her work while at Montgomery College.

From there, Marsha attended Georgetown University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Masters degree, in 1992 and 1994, respectively.  She also taught four years at Georgetown in the Community Scholars Program, a program sponsored by Georgetown’s University for Minority Student Affairs before accepting a position to teach at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, specializing in African American literature of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  During this process, Marsha was completing her doctoral dissertation and received her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 2001.  In 2004, Marsha left the University of Pennsylvania and returned to Maryland to teach at Montgomery College in Rockville to allow her to support John who suffered from cancer.

Children raised, academic goals accomplished at the highest level, Marsha welcomed the birth of her grandchildren and brought that same love and attention to them as she did to her children.  “Nanny” took every opportunity to see, be with and enrich the lives of her grandchildren to the fullest extent possible.

Never one to stray far from the church, Marsha established a church home at 19^th Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and after moving to Maryland, settled with her Church family at Peoples Community Church in Silver Spring, Maryland where she sang in two choirs, served as an usher and cell leader and regularly attended family meetings and activities.  

Marsha became an active member of Altrusa International, Montgomery County Chapter, in 2006.  Altrusa is a worldwide women’s civic organization founded in 1917.  Marsha was viewed as a leader from day one as an integral part of the Montgomery County club.  Marsha worked hard to make the club a more professional organization and served the Club in many capacities, including President, where she was instrumental in planning a very successful District Conference.  In 2016, the Montgomery County club recommended Marsha for Emeritus Membership which was approved by the District and International Boards of Directors.  Marsha was not only a leader to the members, but also a friend.

Marsha always aimed high and had the same dreams and aspirations for those she loved.  She was kind, thoughtful, exceedingly smart and oh so funny.  The mark she has made on the lives of her family and those who knew her, as well as, in this world, will never be forgotten.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son and daughter, Odyssey Egans Gray III (Sharon Dujon (fiancée)) and Monica Charisse Parchment (Gregory Parchment), 2 grandchildren, Jade Allyse Parchment and Riley Gabrielle Parchment, 2 nephews, Terrence Moore (Cheryl Moore) and Bertram Leroy Moore III (Leaeryn Moore), 1 niece Bertrina Moore Scott (Steve Scott), several cousins and a host of friends.