This post is in memory of Marcia Bruce Bush, AKA, “MBB.” A friend I loved and admired for over 30 years.
I received heartbreaking news on January 17th. Marcia Bruce Bush had died peacefully that morning. The death was due to complications relating to cancer.
I am not alone in mourning her untimely passing. Marcia’s passion for Toastmasters touched countless members. Especially those new to the Toastmaster experience as well as leaders both blessed and cursed with her heaven-sent help and pesky, often uninvited, “critique.” But we all learned about communication and leadership from our beloved MBB.
Marcia Bruce Bush – Her Significant Achievements
From my personal perspective, I admired Marcia for two significant achievements in her life.
Jack-in-the-Box
One success is her employment at Jack-In-the-Box. This took place In the 1970s when women’s rights were beginning to take hold. MBB was the first female to work the grill and later became the highest-paid female in that organization before she left. You can watch the video about that story here.
Weight Loss
The second significant achievement is her weight. She struggled with being heavy most of her life. She, as so many, would lose a lot of weight on some sort of fad diet, only to gain all the weight back and more. Marcia finally discovered for herself a way to lose weight without being deprived of her favorite foods. With the help of a coach holding her accountable, she shed 150 pounds and successfully KEPT it off for 15 years. She developed a diet titled “The Chocolate Cake Plan” The secret? Developing habits (like walking daily), eating lots of foods with fiber (which staves off hunger) eating what you love (in moderation), and, last but not least, being held accountable.
While I was the host of my own radio show in 2012, I interviewed Marcia about her weight loss success. You can hear that interview audio only here. To listen to the audio with pictures, click here.
Marcia Bruce Bush as a Toastmaster
Marcia will be remembered for many things. Her successes. Her devotion and passion to others’ success, especially in Toastmasters. Her signature pink hair. And, most recently, her “I was the 1973 Rosebowl Parade Queen” speech she gave last year for a Tall Tales competition. The video I have is an earlier practice of the talk. When she delivered it 3 months later – it was flawless and one of her most playful, fun, and memorable presentations. You can view the video below.
I Will Miss MBB!
I think of Marcia when I see a bright display of yellow, her favorite color; when I see daffodils, her favorite flower; as Superbowl Sunday approaches, I recall the speech Marcia gave titled, “The Ties that Bind.” It was about her family’s lifelong love of the Cleveland Browns and how that shared passion kept the family close, despite years and distance.
Marcia’s Facebook page is full of comments from the many lives she touched, and the words keep coming. She will be missed by so many, especially by me.
