Our beautiful and beloved Marilyn passed away on December 8, after fighting a long and courageous battle. She was employed for 45 years – first at the Hospital of St. Raphael – and later, along with her department, she was switched over to Yale New Haven Hospital. She took great pride in everything she did; especially her job as a Quality Reports Specialist for the Department of Pathology. She greatly enjoyed her job and always had a very strong work ethic.
She made many great friends in her years at St. Raphael’s and Yale. Marilyn was the kind of person who, when you met her, you felt as if you knew her your entire life. She had a special gift. Everyone was always drawn to her.
She had many wonderful qualities: her tremendous humor; her joy in life; and she always made people feel better about themselves. Marilyn enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: gardening; reading mystery novels; and cooking glorious meals.
She always said she had three families: her immediate family; her work family; and the circle of friends she knew since childhood, Gracie, Phyllis, and Denise. She absolutely adored every one of them; in all her families.
She was a loving and attentive care giver for her parents Al and Terry, for many years. And it was part of Marilyn’s nature to always help, and care for, people she knew and loved – and even people she never personally met.
Marilyn touched the heart of so very many people. We are not saying goodbye to Marilyn – we will just know how fortunate we all were to have a very special person like Marilyn in our lives – and she will be with us forever.
She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Bill Smith; her sister Sandra Weed, her sister Gail Weed (and Gail’s husband, James Eaton), her nephews Jason and Mark Weed (Valerie); her grand-nephews Jamison and Liam Weed, her numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews of the Smith family, and many, many cousins and friends.
She is predeceased by her father and mother, Alfred and Theresa (Landino) Weed, and her older brother, Clifford Weed.
Visiting is on Friday morning, Dec. 15th from 9:30 to 11:15 at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave, North Haven, followed at 12 noon by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Bernadette’s Church/Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, 385 Townsend Ave, New Haven. Interment will follow in the Green Lawn Cemetery, East Haven.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Marilyn’s name, or simply do a good deed as a tribute to her.
Marilyn, never would I have imagined the journey we had when I met you 41 years ago in the pathology department at the Hospital of Saint Raphael. You became my best friend and were always there to support. me. You were ‘my person’. I so admired your wit, intelligence and empathy as you cared for your parents, brother, friends and complete strangers who were our patients. You had such intrinsic strength that I don’t even think you realized you had. We shared our tears and our laughter. You were always honest and kind. My life was so much better because of our friendship. Mar, you were and are my person – my kindred spirit and I will miss you beyond words. I love you always,
GB
Dear Sandra and family,
So very sorry for the loss of Marilyn. It’s been so many years my friend but please remember that my prayers are with you and your entire family. Sharon (old schoolmate)
I am deeply saddened by the news of Marilyn’s passing. Marilyn was one of many wonderful people I worked with in the department of pathology in the former Hospital of St. Raphael for more than 30 years since 1973. I was close to Marilyn in particular because she used to help me prepare manuscripts and answer phone calls from other researchers. She was the first person who taught me how to use the newly introduced computer to type. In my memory, she was always a happy, kind, helpful young lady. I only learned that she was sick recently from her sister Gail. She will be missed by all of us