Marcia MacLeish Donley, 78, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on August 15, 2025. She was born on June 24, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Eleanor Lowe and William MacLeish Donley.
Marcia grew up in Cleveland Heights and graduated Cleveland Heights High School before beginning her studies at Bucknell University. She later graduated from Ohio University with degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Geology and went on to earn a Master of Science in Horticulture from the University of Arkansas.
In the early 1970s, Marcia moved to Searcy County, Arkansas, as part of the back-to-the-land movement, eventually purchasing a farm near the Buffalo River. She later relocated to Fayetteville to continue her education, ultimately earning her master’s degree in Horticulture. Marcia developed a deep passion for historic preservation, purchasing and restoring homes in Fayetteville with vision and care. Fearless and adventurous, she traveled widely and pursued many interests that reflected her curiosity and zest for life.
Marcia was a true visionary, a compassionate advocate for animals, and a firm believer in the dignity and worth of all living beings. She founded Spay Arkansas in 2010 and later the NWA Community Cat Project in 2017—two organizations that have reduced pet overpopulation and improved the lives of countless animals and their caretakers across the state. Her legacy of service, determination, and kindness continues to inspire, and her unwavering commitment to her passions left an enduring mark on the community and on everyone who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor Lowe; father, William MacLeish Donley. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Donley (Jim Newman) and many dear friends and colleagues who cherished her.
She lived her life with courage, vision, and compassion, always guided by a belief in the dignity of all living beings and the possibility of a better world. Like the dreamers and seekers of her generation, Marcia found meaning in the land, in community, and in her tireless work to heal and protect. Her fearless spirit reminds us, that even as the world changes, the seeds we plant in love, justice, and kindness endure.
A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Marcia’s fearless spirit, her devotion to animals, and the joy she brought to so many. Friends, family, and community members are invited to gather on Saturday, August 23,
2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Sequoyah, Bailey Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Readings will begin at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the NWA Community Cat Project https:www.arcf.org/mdonley, continuing Marcia’s lifelong work of compassion.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel and Crematory of Fayetteville.
Dear Nancy,
Hold on to the memories, tell the stories. Her legacy lives on in those animal organizations! Hugs for you. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Nancy,
Marcia was a friend I met at painting class 24 years ago. We painted and had tea and pastries and there was about five of us who painted still life together. We had so much fun. I was the youngest of the group, and Marcia mothered me quite a bit. I remember she and another group member trying to coach me on how to cook brown rice, omg, such a funny memory. I’ll never forget Marcia’s kindness and her sweet heart. Before I moved away to finish college out of state, she knew my lease was ending and she asked if I would consider cat sitting a stray cat that was befriended by a former tenant and would I mind ever so much cat sitting for the three months prior to my departure in return for free rent at said apartment? That was such an amazing blessing to me at the time, and she told me the story of buying the house that she developed into apartments while at a yard sale. She was a unique and bright light in the world and definitely a mother figure to me. I won’t forget her persistent commitment to her own peace and her love for art, plants, and animals. She had a humble ethic and a beautiful heart. I am lucky to have known her. She remains an inspiration to me, and I will never forget her.
Nancy I knew Marcia for a long time – since 1973 to be exact – when I moved with a small group of people to Arkansas to Richland Valley, to Dry Creek where we tried to be farmers. I am honored to have written a tribute for her Celebration of Life, which was read by Bruce Levine. We were good friends and I have great memories of our times together. I last visited Arkansas in 2014 and stayed at Marcia’s in Fayetteville. I asked her about the steps, because without any railing, (there were only kitty bowls) I thought it looked dangerous. We laughed and talked together with other old friends. We know who we are and are so proud to have known her and shared moments in a life too short. My sincere regards to you. I think we may have met whenever you visited the valley. I live in Colorado now. love Karen Tamblyn Groves.
Marcia and sister Nancy were childhood friends, their parents and grandparents and mine were friends longer than that, we all exchanged visits. Marcia was a half year younger than I. Marcia and I were geology rock hound fans and traded rock samples. We had mutual crushes but at distance from opposite ends of Ohio, starting from a family visit around maybe 1956ish. We corresponded by mail a lot after the Donley family visit.
I was home on leave from first Army tour in Vietnam in 1966 and drove to Cleveland for a visit. It was comforting to say the least.
Many years later in the 80s Marsha visited me where I settled in Redding CA, a great reunion. We visited my fav gold mining areas and friends up on the Trinity River close to Weaverville and camped out there overnight in my camper.
With GROK AI I just found Marcia’s obit here, a sad finding indeed. I was hoping to remake contact since I retired permanently 30 years ago in southern Ecuador’s Cuenca area.
Nancy, please please please contact me. I’m well, fit, married since 1996 to an Ecuadorian local. If anyone has contact with Nancy, please ask her to check my comment herein from “Charley Brown”.
chazda3rd@gmail.com
Love you, Marcia…next lifetime, OK?
Hugs Nancy, my sincere condolences,
Charley