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In Memoriam : Marilyn Fierri
Marilyn Gravink Fierri - age: 88
(April 04, 1931 to February 06, 2020
)
Resident of
Saco, Maine
Visitation Information:
Dennett, Craig & Pate 365 Main St, Saco, Maine are entrusted with her services.
Obituary:
Marilyn Gravink Fierri, 88, previously of Simsbury CT. passed away on February 6, 2020, of late stage Parkinson's Disease at her current residence in Saco ME.
Marilyn (Lyn) was born in 1931 to her late parents Maybell and William Gravink. She was raised on the family dairy farm in Clymer, NY and was a 1948 graduate of Clymer Central School. Lyn earned her bachelor’s degree from Houghton College in 1952 and her master’s degree from Boston University in 1953. Lyn’s educational and professional career were dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Lyn began this work in1953 as the “Girl’s supervisor” at the Vineland Training School in Vineland, NJ. In1954 Lyn became a social worker at the Southbury Training School in Southbury, CT then advanced to become the Coordinator of Regional Services at the Seaside Regional Center. This was followed by a promotion to the Director of Program Services position for the Department of Developmental Services at the Connecticut Central Office. Lyn’s career culminated in her 1976 appointment by then Governor Ella Grasso to the position of Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Developmental Services where she served until 1986.
Lyn’s retirement was just the beginning for her. She skied, traveled the world and married her husband Michael Fierri. Together they relocated to Mike’s former home, a converted barn in Simsbury CT where Lyn immersed herself in the things she loved. Lyn was an active member of the Simsbury Garden club and created beautiful gardens on her property which hosted garden tours and the wedding of a dear friend. Lyn was an avid UConn women’s basketball fan who traveled to 16 women’s Final Four Tournaments. Lyn served as a board member for FAVARH for six years including two years as president.
Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Michael Fierri, her sister Deleo Gravink and her step son-in-law David I. Brown.
She is survived by her brother Phillip Gravink and his wife Shirley of
Saco, ME. Nephew Bradley Gravink of Clymer, NY and his children Brittlee McClung (husband Noah) of Erie, PA; Graham Gravink of Erie, PA.
Niece Brenda Dimick (husband Todd) of Plymouth, NH and their children Jermy Seiferth (wife Shannon) of Epping, NH; Ashley Wagner (husband Daniel) of Charlotte, NC; Elizabeth Dimick of Plymouth, NH; and Sam Dimick of Plymouth, NH. Niece Jill Gravink and her wife Cathy Clermont of Nottingham, NH. Stepdaughter Diane Fierri Brown of West Hartford, CT and her children David I Brown, Jr (wife Liese) of Los Angeles, CA; Amy Brown Graham (husband John) of Westport, CT; and Pamela Brown Resnick (husband Michael) of Alexandria, VA. Step-son Paul M. Fierri of Simsbury CT. Marilyn is also survived by ten great-grandchildren, three great-grandnephew/nieces and all others who knew and loved her.
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Doug Neckers - February 8, 2020 Contact this person
Marilyn was a good and dear friend. Sue and I will always remember a long day waiting on her bosses boat on the Thames for the 4 minutes of Harvard/Yale crew race. Waiting was easy. The day was warm, the food was good, and the beer aplenty. And I recall the several times when she was going east, or I was, and we would ride together at least as far as Rochester or Syracuse. Peak'n Peak came along after I had left Clymer, but I never go there but what I think of her, and of course Phil. On one of those trips east, she asked if I would be a willing investor. Sadly at the time I was a poor graduate student and paying the rent a higher priority.
Sue and I send our condolences to all the family. We get in Clymer more often now than we used to; maple syrup and maple cream are staples in Sue's diet. Not sure what the prognosis is for that in this, the year of virtually no snow. (at least so far.)
May she rest in peace. She was a joy to know. Doug and Sue Neckers
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