Marcia Weser moved to Morningside at the Chandler Estate in mid-April of last year and has been a resident now for over a year. After considering several senior living communities, she was consistently drawn back to the Chandler, always feeling at ease during her visits. Since moving in, Marcia has immersed herself in the vibrant community at Morningside at the Chandler, actively participating in the various classes and events offered.
Before her move, Marcia made a generous donation of 72 boxes of books to the Round Rock Library, reflecting her deep love of reading and the need to downsize her extensive personal book collection. A native of Houston, Texas, Marcia grew up in a multigenerational household with her younger brother and sister. Her childhood was rich with cultural and religious experiences; her grandmother was a talented cook, while her grandfather took her to Jewish services. She was a trailblazer in her Hebrew school as the only girl in her class and the second girl to have a Bat Mitzvah in her Conservative congregation.
Marcia attended the University of Texas at Austin, initially enrolling in the College of Fine Arts with the intention of becoming an interior decorator. During Rush Week in 1961, she discovered the Plan II Honors Program, a selective interdisciplinary program that admitted only 125 students. Impressed by the program’s rigorous curriculum and esteemed faculty, Marcia applied and was accepted after a memorable interview with John Silber, the program’s head, who later became the president of Boston University. In Plan II, she studied a range of subjects, from biology to philosophy and communications. She also achieved a significant milestone by being elected International President of the B’nai B’rith Girls during her freshman year.
At the end of her sophomore year, Marcia married a man with a PhD in electroanalytical chemistry. They had two daughters, Sara and Leah. Her husband’s career took them to various locations, with her family landing in San Antonio in 1974. She worked three different part time-jobs while raising their daughters. When her husband decided to relocate again for his career, Marcia chose to remain in San Antonio. Following their divorce, she raised her daughters as a single mother and took on the role of Curator of Education at The Witte Museum from 1976-1981.
Her career continued to flourish as she worked for the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA), where she conducted educational outreach and eventually became the Education Director. In 1981, she transitioned to a role as Marketing Director at Cappy’s, and by 1983, she launched her own business, MGW Communications. From 1984 to 1992, Marcia wrote a weekly column on visual arts for the San Antonio Light. She also wrote stories for the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), highlighting the contributions of WWII female pilots who flew planes across the United States.
Marcia also found love when she married Elliot Weser, a gastroenterologist and sailor, with whom she shared 33 wonderful years until his passing in March 2021. Elliot, a founding faculty member and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at UT Health San Antonio, shared his love of flying with Marcia, inspiring her to learn to fly at the age of 45. She enjoyed flying both a Cessna 152 and a Mooney aircraft.
A dedicated community leader, Marcia served as President of the Board at Temple Beth-El in San Antonio and was actively involved with the SOL (Source of Light) Center at University Presbyterian Church, an interfaith organization that promoted understanding among different faiths. At the Chandler, she continues to share her knowledge by conducting workshops on ethical wills. Her commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her participation in classes, her love of baking traditional Jewish pastries, and her regular attendance at classical music events. She is also a member of the Fiber Artists of San Antonio. Marcia recently attended the 80th anniversary of the B’nai B’rith Girls and the 100th anniversary of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) boys’ group in Orlando, where she was a speaker. Her apartment is adorned with works by local artists, reflecting her passion for art and her connection to the local community. Her life at Morningside at the Chandler Estate allows her easy access to nearby cultural and social events she loves, while also serving as a welcoming home base for her travels to visit her beloved children and grandchildren.
