A graduate of The University of Michigan, Marceil and her husband settled in Port Washington after she obtained her CPR recertification at St. Francis Hospital. The instructors were volunteers from the PWFD and quickly convinced her that my new community needed my help in getting the ambulances rolling. She signed up and became an EMT with Fire Medic Co. #1, volunteering on her days off and many night shifts. It was wonderful to serve Port and work with such a dedicated group while also being one of the few women at the time serving the department.

Marceil raised her kids in Port Washington and has been active with many of the great organizations that call Port Washington and Sands Point home. In 2007, she inherited my daughter’s art classes at a local art school. It fueled a new passion for her and helped her find her way through a very difficult health crisis. Marceil believes that art is life changing and has the power to heal.

 Now, Marceil works with other family members on Kazickas Family Foundation projects here and in Lithuania. One of their largest programs, Youth Can, focuses on reaching out to kids at risk in Lithuania. The organization provides coaches that meet and connect with children weekly for physical activities and to teach life skills. Lithuania has one of the highest suicide rates for young adults and they are trying to change this statistic. Marceil has also been involved with many medical partnership programs . One of my greatest joys was helping a young cancer survivor attain a prosthetic leg here in the US.

The Art Guild has become a home away from home for so many in our community. It is the place to try new things, meet friends, and explore one’s creativity. I was welcomed the first time I visited and have felt nurtured ever since. There is always a new class or workshop to try and continuing opportunities to exhibit our work. I enjoy being a part of this diverse, talented, and hard working group . It’s refreshing to bring wonderful ideas to fruition and share our passion for the visual arts.

IN THE COMMUNITY

The Kazickas Family Foundation, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Growing Love Community Garden, North Shore Animal League, Hooves for Hope, The Art League of Long Island, The Art Guild.

Frances Ianarella is an award winning artist who has studied with David Leffel, and with Gregg Kreutz at the Art Students League and in his private studio. She has exhibited work in many venues in New York and Long Island. For more info on Frances and to see more of her work, visit her blog.