Marcia Fonseca Averbuck

Mrs. Marcia Averbuck (Fonseca) went home to God on Wednesday, July 16, after a long brave battle with cancer. She was 53. Raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, “Marcie” was a lady of overwhelming kindness. She was a certified social worker who volunteered for years there in homeless and children’s shelters. After moving to Highland City in 1998, she taught for years at the Geneva Christian Academy day care, and also worked with the Department of Children and Families. Married later in life, Marcie was blessed with two children, Isabelle and Daniel, whom she adored beyond words. She loved animals, and took in many a stray cat. Her wonderful smile and laugh lit up every room she was in, and she kept her cheerful sense of humor even in the toughest times. She was an enthusiastic member of the TBA Church in Lakeland, where she had many great friends. She also attended support meetings at the Centro Espirita Amor e Caridade (Spiritist Love and Charity Center) of Orlando. She was preceded in death by her brother, Marcos; and her father, Octavio Fonseca, both of Rio de Janeiro. She is survived by her husband, Philip Averbuck, her daughter, Isabelle, and her son, Daniel, all of Highland City; her mother, Leda Fonseca Nonato, and brothers Otavio Fonseca, Andre Fonseca, and Felipe Fonseca, all of Rio de Janeiro; and many adoring nieces, nephews and cousins. Evening visitation will be on Monday, July 21, from 5 to 7 PM at the McLean-Whidden Funeral Home, 650 Main Street, Bartow, Florida; and her funeral will be on Tuesday, July 22, at 2 PM, at the McLean Whidden-Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the TBA Church <http://www.tbachurch.com/> , or to the Centro Espirita Amor e Caridade <http://www.ceac.org.br/centro/html>. Condolences may be made to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com