Marguerite D. Stebbins – was given the birth name Annie Marguerite Dilworth, September 11, 1920, at the homestead of John and Marguerite (Russ) Eichelberg, her maternal grandparents on Mechanics Street, in Jewett City, town of Griswold, Connecticut. She was the oldest daughter of Albert Homer Dilworth and Catherine Ann (Eichelberg) Dilworth. Albert and his wife were living on lower Smith Avenue, Norwich at the time, in the section called Long Society.
The Dilworth’s second child, Arlene Elizabeth was born, February 23, 1922, at the Eichelberg homestead also. For a time, Albert, with a partner Art Andersen, operated a garage repairing and servicing motor vehicles on Mechanics St., Jewett City, adjacent, to the Eichelberg homestead.
Shortly afterwards the Dilworth’s with their two children relocated to upper Smith Avenue, later, down the street to 46 Smith Avenue. Norwich, Connecticut. Albert, or Al as he was known, accepted employment at the U. S. Finishing Company in Greenville, nearby.
Marguerite received her primary education at the local Smith Avenue Public School. She was an active member of the local Girl Scout troop which held meetings on Bishop Street, in downtown Norwich. After completing Public school Marguerite was enrolled at the Norwich Free Academy where she completed the General course of study and was graduated with the Class of 1938. After graduation Marguerite was employed by three merchants, Puritan and Trachtenberg’s Clothing stores and Woolworth’s, all in downtown Norwich. There she learned her sales talents and the trade of seamstress, altering clothing at the clothing stores.
In 1942 she left Woolworth’s and accepted employment at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, Connecticut. She rented a one room walk up on Collins St., Hartford and traveled by bus to work.
May 15, 1942, Marguerite was united in marriage with Howard Albert Stebbins. The marriage took place at the Greenville Congregational Church. Maid of Honor was her cousin Lucy Dean from Central Village, Connecticut, Best man was Everett Morton of Taftville, cousin of the groom.
After Howard went into the Service in 1943, Marguerite went to live with a fellow employee, Adelle Gozdek and her mother in Hartford. Adelle and Marguerite traveled together by bus to Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. After boarding in her friend’s household for a time she relocated to a rental apartment in Hartford.
Here she remained until Howard, returned from World War II. Marguerite continued to work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Eight years in total.
Their only child, a son, Gary Robert Stebbins was born December 6, 1951. After Gary entered elementary school, Marguerite revisited her entrepreneurial skills first as a Welcome Wagon Hostess in Marlborough where she and Howard bought a house on Lafayette Road in 1948. In the 1960’s she became a Vanda Beauty Counselor and they moved to North Haven to their new home on 6 Coach Drive in 1971 where she started Vistar Sales. Starting in the early 1970’s Marguerite expanded her sales efforts as a Tri-Chem Liquid Embrodiery instructor and eventually became the New England Regional director, a position she held well into the 1990’s. When her husband, Howard retired from Pratt & Whitney in 1977 they bought a motor home and travelled extensively for the next ten years. Howard preceded her in death on March 30, 2013. She is survived by her son Gary and his wife Maria of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Marguerite is also survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Saturday morning at 10:00 in the Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich. The visiting hours will be Friday from 5 – 7 PM in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Heart Foundation, 31822 Village Center Road, Suite 208, Westlake Village, CA 91361.