Marcia Barrera recalled by Tri-County Independent staff

Family and friends of Marcia Lund Barrera, her friends including those co-workers who knew her well at Tri-County Independent, mourn her death, which occurred at about 3 a.m., October 26, 2022. Marcia worked as Distribution Assistant (Circulation Coordinator) at the newspaper.

She started there almost six years ago and witnessed the eventual merger of The Wayne Independent, The News Eagle, Carbondale News and The Villager into Tri-County Independent. Those four original publications were all under her circulation watch in the beginning and had in her care their combined circulations under the newly-formed entity.

Her role was to deal with all aspects of circulation from customer service for our subscribers and dealers, to delivery coordination with the drivers and post offices to circulation accounts receivable and billing.

She was one of the first people visitors would see when coming in, working at her desk to the left as one enters. She is remembered by fellow staff for her cheery disposition, her friendly smile and warm way she interacted with subscribers, the public in general and her colleagues.

Since the COVID pandemic at first required most staff to work remotely, she continued to do so at home, carrying on her duties. She would answer customers' questions and intercede to make sure they were getting their paper, accept their payment, help people set up their e-edition, change their address or forward other matters to appropriate departments. She enjoyed engaging with the subscribers about their lives, many of the "older demographic" (as she called it) who would talk about the "good old days."

She was one to make sure to pass on feedback, whether it be a compliment, concern or question about anything they read in the paper. Brought up in the hallowed tradition of newspapers, she defended the Independent and watched out carefully for its growth and promotion.

In the 1990s, Marcia contracted Lyme disease which led her to becoming chairperson of the Wayne County Lyme Disease Prevention Task Force. She frequently spoke at various places about the disease to raise awareness of the issue.She and her husband Fernando, who died in 2013, had moved to Wayne County full-time in in 1998. They became members at Calkins Baptist Church.

Several of the staff members, current and some former, offered their reflections.

Michelle Fleece, Multimedia Account Executive who was formerly publisher as well as advertising manager commented about Marcia," She was a bubbly, dedicated employee who courageously battled her health issues. Her laugh was infectious, her smile sincere. She took a deep interest in people, events and the world at large. She was a woman of deep faith and strong convictions. She was thoughtful, kind and generous. I am better for having known her."

Peggy Jordan, currently the Independent's Legal Notice Clerk, worked virtually side-by-side with Marcia, greeting the public, taking calls and handling the classifieds. "She was funny and a joy to work with. I was impressed with how well she interacted with the subscribers/customers. It seems like most everyone went away happy," Jordan said. "She took an interest in my hobby of hiking and would often send magazine/news articles about some remote trail I might like. She’ll be missed."

"Marcia always treated me with kindness and respect, which I always appreciated," Melissa Lee, former editor at the Tri-County Independent said. "She cared about the paper, and we would always talk about strategies of what to do to help better the product for readers. I really enjoyed my time working beside her. She will be greatly missed." Lee is currently a Content Coach with another Gannett publication, The Erie-Times News.

"Marcia's laugh was unmistakable," said reporter David Mazzenga. "Even from back in the newsroom, her jovial exultations reverberated clear as a bell. I worked with her several times on Lyme Disease awareness stories in which her wealth of information was a critical resource for the content's accuracy. She was always a joy to interview and to chat with. She will be missed."

“I have known Marcia for many years, stretching back to her days doing the books at the Wayne Hotel," Kevin Edwards, Sports Editor, reflected. "She was always friendly, smart and funny. The Independent became a stronger organization when Marcia arrived on the scene and she is already deeply missed now that she’s gone.”

"She was a wonderful, wonderful person to work with; she'd do anything to help,” Donna Hazen, who is in charge of the mailroom, said. Marcia had been her supervisor.

Janice Klinkiewicz formerly worked in the Financial Department and knew Marcia well. "She was a wonderful, generous, loving person," Klinkiewicz said. "While dealing with serious health issues over the years, she always had a smile on her face and a great sense of humor with a laugh that was contagious. Marcia was a fighter. Her glass was ALWAYS half full, never half empty and it is an honor to call her my friend."

Sergio Coca, who serves as a driver commented, "She's a beautiful person. She was a nice worker, she cared for everyone."

Ashley Fontones has been editor overseeing both Tri-County Independent and Pocono Record operations since February. She offered: "I was saddened to hear of Marcia's passing. While I haven't been at the Tri-County very long, I have been getting to know the wonderful people that help make this place tick. Marcia was one of those people."

As for me, I appreciated Marcia for her warm cheerfulness, her smile and faith. I'll always remember arriving at the office by 9 a.m. just when the donut truck pulled up and the driver honked. I was sure to be met at the door by Marcia, heading out to make her purchase along with several co-workers behind her (she was closer to the door and as we know, "ladies first").

She'd send out emails to me and other co-workers about how the Independent’s circulation was doing, ever concerned about boosting those numbers. She'd speak her mind and showed her heart-felt dedication to seeing it prosper, and for her co-workers.

My last email from her, dated August 30, she was agreeing that she was thankful for her job and the strength, grace and ability to do her work. She replied with a single word: "Amen!"A funeral service for Marcia Lund Barrera is scheduled Friday, November 11 at 11 a.m., at Calkins Baptist Church, 527 Calkins Road, Milanville. There will be a gathering for family and friends at 10 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Marcia Barrera of Honesdale recalled by Tri-County Independent staff