Obituary: Marlene Barbara Casertano-Hess, 89, Of Newtown

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

NEWTOWN, CT — Marlene Barbara Casertano-Hess, age 89 formerly of Rye Brook, NY passed away peacefully Thursday, July 6, 2023 at her daughter's home in Newtown. She moved to Emmitsburg, MD in 1998 and then moved to Newtown in 2022. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, MD and Our Lady of Mercy in Port Chester, NY and was instrumental in the implementation of the Rosary Congress in New York.

Marlene graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1955 with a BA in Fine Art and a Masters in Art Education from Hunter College in 1957. Marlene became an art teacher in Pelham, NY before becoming a full-time mother and housewife. She married Charles S. Hess, Jr. August 18, 1956 and spent the next 65 years together before his death in 2021. During those years, Marlene raised her children and grandchildren, all the while serving her Lord.

Marlene is survived by her daughter Corinna Matijevic and her husband John and grandchildren Alexandria and SteviAnn and her great-grandson, Christian, her son Charles A. Hess and his wife Jennifer and grandchildren Claire and Gillian, along with her 2 sisters Cynthia Robertson of Cheshire, CT and Phyllis Smith of Milford, CT. Marlene is preceded in death by her husband Charles S. Hess, Jr. and brother Nicholas Casertano.

Marlene has touched so many people's lives and a Funeral Mass in Celebration of her Life will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 17 Granville Avenue; Danbury, CT.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to Catholic Charities Adoption Services as Marlene and Charles adopted their 2 children. Donations should be sent to Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606.