WESTPORT, Mass. (BRAIN) — Marka Spalding Wise, a familiar face to generations of New England road and cyclocross racers, died Friday in Fall River, Massachusetts, following a short period of rapidly declining health. She was 80.
Wise was a United States Cycling Federation race official and a UCI commissar. She founded and managed NECSA (New England Cycling Support Association), a junior bicycle-racing development program. She helped develop young riders who became regional and national junior champions in road racing and cyclocross. Professionally, outside of cycling she owned and operated an art and drafting-supply store with several locations. After closing the store in 1985 she did consulting and sales for early point-of-sale computer systems.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Christopher T. "Kit" Wise, her brother Oakes Ames Spalding, Jr. and his wife Monique; her sons Christopher S. Boit and his wife Kathryn and Peter G. Boit and his wife Jennifer; and grandchildren Andrea, Alexandra, Timothy, Cutter, Colin and McKenna.
Burial will be private. A celebration of her life will be held Friday at the residence.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Special Olympics at specialolympics.org/donate.
