Obituary: Marilyn (Manzi) Vitale, 87, of East Haven

Obituary courtesy of East Haven Memorial Funeral Home:

Marilyn (Manzi) Vitale passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2023. Marilyn was born September 8, 1935, to the late John and Edith (Teodoro) Manzi. She was the widow of Mario (Mert) Vitale, the love of her life since they were 13 years old.

A lifelong resident of East Haven, she kept things honest in town for over 40 years. Marilyn ran for mayor three times when politics was a male dominant profession. While she didn’t win, she never gave up running for boards and commissions for the betterment of the town. One of her highest accomplishments was when she was appointed Chairman of the Board of Education. This position was the dearest to her because education was one of her top priorities. She was part of the group that was instrumental in opening the East Haven Academy, which later became a blue-ribbon school. Marilyn always voted for what was best for the Town of East Haven no matter what. She was never paid for any service and was always, above all, honest. If you ever needed help, all you needed to do was pick up the phone and give her a call. Her knowledge was endless.

When she wasn’t at meetings, she was in her kitchen cooking. She was happiest when she was making big family dinners, especially cooking for the holidays. Her favorite saying was “The more the merrier!” Everyone had a seat at her table. She will be missed by all who knew her and most of all her family.

Marilyn is survived by her children Marilyn (Robert) Stevens, Edith (Jim) Goraieb and her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Mario, Ashley and Danielle, and Jimmy. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Linda and Carl Bellelo, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marie and Joe Vitale, her sister-in-law Theresa Vitale, many cousins, nieces, and nephews, whom she loved, her partner in crime “JoJo,” and her precious puppy Mollie. She was predeceased by her sister Joan Speranza.

Per her request, all services are private and under the care of East Haven Memorial Funeral Home. We take comfort knowing her and Dad are dancing together again.