Marcia Leigh Ferritto

Marcia Ferritto 1940-2026

Born in New York City in 1940, Marcia spent her formative years in Connecticut, where she discovered, at a very early age, the passions that would carry her through life: ice skating, gardening, and the violin and viola. Music became her calling, and she went on to build a distinguished career as a professional violist.

Marcia performed as a soloist throughout the United States and Canada, with appearances at the International Viola Congress in Toronto; the Kennedy Center and the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.; the New York and Philadelphia Composers Forums; the Blossom Music Center Festival Forum; and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. She also served as principal violist of the New Haven Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

A brilliant and generous teacher, Marcia held faculty positions at Wittenberg University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, and for many years at Kent State University. She gave her students steadfast support and creative ways of approaching the instrument, and many carry her lessons with them still.

A cum laude graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Marcia loved art, history, and learning of every kind. She was an avid traveler whose journeys took her to Barcelona, Paris, Naples, and the Greek Isles. She was also a passionate animal lover with a special devotion to the greyhounds she adopted through rescue.

Marcia was especially proud of her grandson, Sam Rosenthal, who follows in her footsteps as a superb violist.

She is survived by daughter Annie Fullard, son-in law Jim Rosenthal, and grandson Sam Rosenthal. She was predeceased by husband John Ferritto.

A celebration of life concert is being planned, date to be announced.