Marcella Starry, 88, a longtime resident of Los Gatos, died April 13.

Starry was a native of San Francisco. She attended grammar schools in Burlingame, high school in Santa Clara and college at San José State University. After college she was employed as office manager of a San Jose brokerage firm.

She married Nicholas Starry in 1942. While on their honeymoon, Nicholas was drafted into the Army. At the close of World War II, the couple moved to Los Gatos, where Marcella Starry became active in civic and community affairs. She served as president of the Los Gatos Grammar School PTA, president of the Los Gatos High School PTA and president of the Eastfield Ming Quong Home for Children, where she organized and started the Happy Dragon Thrift Shop.

She served as president and was a lifelong member of the Los Gatos History Club and treasurer of the West Valley Women's Club. She was also active in Montalvo and the Red Cross Blood Bank. In 1997 she was chosen to be the grand marshal for the annual Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holiday Parade.

She is survived by her husband, Nicholas Starry; her son, Clark Starry of San Francisco; her daughter, Claire Whyburn of Atherton; and her grandsons, Gordon and Ian Whyburn. A memorial service was held on April 22 at the Los Gatos Meadows and private inurnment at Los Gatos Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to the American Heart Association.