Marilyn was born January 5, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the youngest daughter of Yvonne and Alfonzo (Alfred) Margarella, and always looked up to her big sisters Gloria and Yvonne. Marilyn loved all things Brooklyn, including her home team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. As a young woman, Marilyn worked as a legal secretary, but after meeting a student at Fordham University, Tony Lyons from Clondalkin, Ireland, they married and began to build their family together. They settled in Danbury, CT, where the raised their family of 8 children. Marilyn was devoted to her family–her greatest joy.
The daughter of French and Italian parents, she always considered herself just a wee bit Irish, as she sang along to Danny Boy, Four Green Fields, and Wild Irish Rose. A lover of animals, she was rarely without a cat by her side. Marilyn had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to laugh, and dance, and sing. Marilyn was loved so very much and will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to have known her.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter Theresa Smith; son-in-law Kevin Smith; daughter Marilyn J. Lyons; daughter Deborah Owen; son Patrick Lyons; daughter-in-law Lisa Lyons; daughter Eileen Backman; son-in-law Jon Backman; daughter Amy Gracer; son-in-law Michael Gracer; daughter Maureen Yvonne Reardon; son-in-law Patrick Reardon; daughter Elizabeth Sellinger; and son-in-law John Sellinger; sister Yvonne Melillo; grandchildren Kevin Smith Jr., Brian Smith, (Krystal Smith), Brian Backman, (Dominika Backman), Daniel Backman, Timothy Lyons, (Christi Hooten), Alexander Gracer, Abigail Gracer, Zeren Smith, Bethany Gracer, Michael Backman, Julianna Smith, Nathaniel Reardon, William Gracer, Serena Lyons, Lyla Sellinger, Lucas Reardon, Joshua Reardon, Faith Sellinger, and great grandchildren Mitchell, Cara, Lyanna, Joan and Noah, Liam (expected June 2019), and Baby Gracer-Hannigan, (expected July 2019), as well as many nieces, nephews and
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Anthony Lyons; mother Yvonne Margarella and father Alfonzo (Alfred) Margarella; sister Gloria Brand, and grandchild Samuel Gracer.
Calling hours for Marilyn will be held Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St, Danbury, Connecticut 06810. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Monday, February 11, 2019 at 10:30AM at St. Gregory the Great Church, 85 Great Plain Rd., Danbury, CT 06811. A burial will occur Monday, February 11, 2019 at Saint Peter Cemetery, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, Connecticut 06810.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marilyn's memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd. S. #4b, Southington, Connecticut 06489 US, https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2.
