Obituary: Marsha L. DePree, M.D., 56

Marsha L. DePree, M.D., 56, passed away Thursday night after a three-year battle with a rare brain tumor. She went with her family at her side, in comfort and at peace. She was an honest, intelligent and fundamentally kind soul. Marsha was loved and admired by those she touched, from her many patients to her grieving family. 

Dr. DuPree was born on November 11, 1957, in Haddonfield, N.J., to Madeleine and Dr. Richard DuPree, the fifth of eight children. 

Marsha studied chemistry at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (C'79) and then followed in her father's footsteps at Georgetown University School of Medicine (M'83) where she met her husband of 30 years at orientation. She completed her residency in dermatology at the Naval Hospital in San Diego and a Fellowship in Dermatopathology at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego in 1994. Marsha was a fellow at the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Board of Dermatology. She operated a solo eponymous dermatology practice in East Greenwich. Marsha loved her practice and her patients; they were an inspiration and a source of personal pride. She practiced her art with joy and devotion. 

Marsha is survived by her husband, Brian Stainken, M.D.; three children, Cameron, a second-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Brett, a senior at the University of Rhode Island Engineering School, and Hannah, a junior at Georgetown University; her seven siblings, Dr. Madeleine Ann DuPree of Boynton Beach, Fla., Richard DuPree of Phoenix, Az., Elle DuPree of Palm Beach,Fla., Laureen DuPree of Springfield, Va., Mary Francis Jellison of Haddonfield, N.J., Denise DuPree of Bainbridge, Wash., and Dorothy DuPree Pagliaro of Wilton, Conn.; and 26 nieces and nephews. 

She had a deep bond with all seven of her siblings and extended family, in recent years drawing strength and comfort from them, as they drew love and inspiration from her. 

Beyond family and her patients, Marsha had two passions. One was the silent health effects of environmental toxins present in daily life. She worked tirelessly to eliminate foodborne toxins from her life as she spread awareness to others. In that spirit, help us sponsor a vegetable garden in her memory by donating to Marsha's Garden through the “Southside Community Trust."

Her other focus was recycling and composting; she believed and practiced both with characteristic diligence. With her in mind, we also invite you to look at the good work of rescuemeds.org. The medical supplies Marsha no longer needs are already on their way to be reused to help others. Spread the word. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 65 Third St., East Greenwich. Burial will be private. Calling hours: Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich.

To leave an online condolence, visit the Hill Funeral Home website.