Marilyn English

Marilyn English, loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother was born on November 15, 1943 to the late George and Katherine English of Harlem, New York. She departed this life at age 70 to be in God’s hands.

Marilyn was the older of two children, preceded in death by her sister Joanne Sanders. Marilyn’s mother Katherine departed life when she was a very young child, and soon thereafter Marilyn and her sister were relocated to Queens, New York where they were raised by her mother’s sister Constance “Aunt Connie“ Shavo, and her husband Aaron “Uncle Sonny” or “Chunky” Shavo in the Queensbridge Houses. Aunt Connie departed life shortly after her sister Katherine leaving young Marilyn, Joanne, and Aunt Connie’s two daughters Barbara and Deena to be raised by Connie’s husband Aaron.

Marilyn attended grade school in Harlem, New York. She graduated from Jane Adams High School and soon after had her first child Arteavun English. During that time she met her very first love Victor Rosa. A few years later the couple relocated to Bronx, New York and from that union they grew their family to include Kathy, Adriane and Edward. Marilyn married Melvin Fant Sr. in 1971; from that union she had her youngest son Melvin Fant Jr. Shortly after she moved her family back to Queens, and there she resided for the remainder of her life.

To know Marilyn was to love Marilyn! She was a very active member of her community. Marilyn was admired by many and respected by all. Marilyn was a woman of faith, grace, love, and strength. She loved music, enjoyed singing, dancing, traveling, cooking, entertaining and it was a joy to pass this on to her children.