MARCIA KEMP FREDIE, One of Boston's top fashion models, died suddenly on May 28th, 2009 at her home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Marcia, to whom Bill Buchanan, former Boston Globe writer, referred as "Boston's Hat Girl," worked for many years modeling for several department stores and top fashion designers, including Oscar De la Renta, Bonnie Cashin, Starvropoulos and Pauline Trigere. She appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine and was featured in fashion magazines and many local newspapers such as The Boston Globe and The Patriot Ledger. She valued the opportunity to participate in the PBS Channel 2 auction for 15 years. Marcia worked as a hostess for TWA at Logan Airport and at Talbots as a merchandise coordinator for many years. While at Talbots, she initiated in-house fashion shows for training sales staff's merchandising of clothing. Marcia left the world of fashion to join her husband as "Milton Academy's First Lady" during the 1990's. While at Milton, she orchestrated the restoration of Milton's art collection and focused on building community with the Lower School by teaching cooking classes for students in the Headmaster's house. She was a graduate of The Jeremiah E. Burke High School and attended Academie Moderne and The Museum School. Marcia’s love for the arts flourished in New Orleans where she found new possibilities as a docent for the Museum of Contemporary Art.
She leaves her husband, Dr. Edwin P. Fredie of New Orleans, and four children: Kenya Yvonne Fredie of Seattle, WA, Michael Sharif and Racquel Fredie of Miami, FL, Alexandra May Fredie of Daytona Beach, FL and Christopher Kemp Fredie of Los Angeles, CA. She also leaves two grandchildren; Zakiyah Meisumi Lyons of Seattle, WA and Julius Tristan Madzunovic of Daytona Beach, FL. Also survived by her mother, Margaret Davis, and siblings; George Kemp, Carol Drewry, David Kemp, Dianne Foreman, Ronnie Davis and Debra Davis along with other family and friends.
A family service was conducted at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Graveside Service on Saturday, June 6th at 12 Noon at the Fort Hill Cemetery, Fort Hill St., Hingham followed by a Memorial Service at 2 PM at the Harrison Otis Apthorp Chapel, Milton Academy, Centre St., Milton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made in Marcia’s memory to UNICEF.org or to Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.