Marcia O. Hamilton

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Marcia O. Hamilton announces her passing on May 24th, 2026, in New York City. Beloved wife of Douglas J. Hamilton for thirty-five years and devoted mother of daughter Tori H. Hamilton, she will be deeply missed.

Born to Matthew and Emilia Olivo in Camden, NJ, Marcia was the youngest of four children. She is survived by her siblings Emilia Glaes, Anthony Olivo, Dr. Matthew Olivo, and many additional relatives, friends, and colleagues who cherished their time with her.

Marcia’s aspirations to become an actress led her to the theater programs of the University of Pennsylvania, Brandeis University, and New York University. Her career as a model and actress in New York City included print and showroom modeling, Off-Broadway, New York City Opera, and occasional gigs as a singer in rock bands in the East Village. According to one critic, “she has the nose of Marilyn Monroe, the eyes of Catherine Deneuve, and the sizzle of Debbie Harry.” As with many journeyman actors, Marcia bridged career gaps by serving in fine dining establishments from the Lower East Side’s Hawaii 5-O on Avenue A—frequented by Andy Warhol and many other avant-garde artists—to Café Crocodile on East 74th Street under celebrated chef Andrée Abramoff, where discreet celebrities including Richard Avedon, “Ricardino,” were regular guests and friends of the establishment.

Marcia’s Second Act began with the opening of Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital on West 18th Street in Manhattan in 1999. The one-doctor start-up founded by Dr. Marc Siebert, DVM, has successfully grown to include eight hospital locations throughout New York City and Seattle. Marcia was there at the beginning and was inspired to study and train to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT). She proudly continued her work with Heart of Chelsea to the very end of her life.

Marcia’s passions were directed to her family, the Church of the Messiah in Rhinebeck, NY, where she married Douglas in 1991 and sang in the church choir every week, and Lavender Bakery as its founder and chief baker on contract for New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

Marcia harbored a loving longing for the coast of Maine, where decades of sojourns with her family and beloved dogs Jasper, Schatze, Strider, and, most recently Vesper, fed her soul and filled her heart with joy.

Memories of Marcia, stories shared, celebrations, and quiet moments will glow as beacons in the lives of those she crossed paths with, whether personally or professionally. We find comfort in knowing that her spirit shall endure in the hearts of all who knew her.

An NYC gathering to honor Marcia's life will take place on Tuesday 16th June, 2026 from 6pm to 8:30pm at The Empire Rooftop; 44 W 63rd Street, NY NY, 10023. RSVP at the following link: https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/yzQQrZ5TPKnZKGSLzLyR3

Marcia’s family, friends, and colleagues will also gather to honor her memory on June 27th, 2026, 11:00AM, at Church of the Messiah in Rhinebeck, NY. Her interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Marcia’s family requests that charitable gifts be directed to support the music programs of the Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck, NY.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marcia O. Hamilton, please visit our floral store.