MacArthur alum, former Olympian Marcia Morey still representing her hometown
DECATUR, Ill. — Marcia Morey grew up in Decatur in the 1970鈥檚. At the time, there were few organized competitive sports programs for girls. Swimming was one of them. Marcia swam year-round at the YMCA, Country Club and Decatur Swim Club throughout high school and graduated from MacArthur High School in 1973. Marcia went on to win 7 national titles in swimming, competed in two world championship meets, and was co-captain of the U.S. Olympic Team at the 1976 Montreal games. When asked about what she remembers the most from her Olympics experience, Marcia says 鈥淭hat I represented Decatur. 聽My family and friends came to Montreal and supported me. 聽I did not swim my best there and was very disappointed. When I returned home from the Games, a crowd of 800 people greeted me at the Decatur airport.鈥�
Following her Olympics experience, Marcia went on to complete her bachelor鈥檚 degree at Millikin, graduating summa cum laude in 1978. She then earned a master鈥檚 in teaching from Reed College and a law degree from Northwestern School of Law, both in Portland, Oregon. After working in North Carolina for a while, she got a job as an assistant district attorney. Marcia loved working to help juveniles in the court system. Later, Marcia served as a judge in North Carolina for 18 years. She said, 鈥淚t was not about politics as much as it was about justice and compassion.鈥� In 2017, she resigned as a judge to go to the North Carolina House of Representatives and serve in her first political role. She shared, 鈥淢y father was a lawyer and served in local government. He believed in public service and engaged me in spirited political discussions. He was a Republican, and now, me as a progressive Democrat!鈥�
Marcia says the things she remembers most about life in Decatur, was her family. 鈥淚 was proud of my dad who served on the city council and my mother who worked on the Civic Center and petitioned to keep the Transfer House downtown,鈥� Marcia said. 鈥淚 have two older sisters who put up with me when I nagged them. My beloved grandparents lived in Decatur as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. We lived next to Fairview Park, which was the ideal place to play and go to the ice rink in the winter. I loved the lake and water skiing and rowing. My teachers were wonderful, and the friends I made have been lifelong relationships.鈥�
Despite her busy schedule as a North Carolina lawmaker, Marcia is frequently in Decatur. Her mother and sister, Cyndy Smith live here, as well as extended family. She says she still considers Decatur home. When she is in NC, she stays focused on the job she has been elected to.聽 She is most proud of her advocacy for children. Since being in the state House she co-sponsored a bill to raise the age of criminal jurisdiction from 16 years to 18. 聽鈥淲e have worked to get mental health and substance abuse services to children in need,鈥� said Marcia. 鈥淚 will strive always to do what is good and best for people. 聽My life has been so blessed and lucky. I attribute any accomplishment to my family.鈥�
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