Marilyn Lee Moranha

A retired legal secretary from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Marilyn relocated to Florida five years ago with John Moranha, her beloved husband of 40 years, to be near her daughter Sharon Lapkin and two of her grandchildren, Davis Lapkin and Samantha “Sammy” Lapkin, who she loved beyond words with her whole heart.

In addition to John, Sharon, Davis and Sammy, Marilyn is survived by her son, Dr. Jerry (Sandra) Pratt of Schoolcraft, Michigan and grandchildren Ethan, Andrew and Grayson. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara Dulitsky, her nephew, Rob (Jill) Dulitsky of West Hartford, Connecticut and their children, Brady and Carly; and as well as many cousins, including Elliot (Cora) Freier.

Standing only 4 feet 8 inches tall, Marilyn had a vibrant and dynamic presence and outsized energy that drew people in. Her strong-willed determination was only matched by her ability to light up a room with her smile and infectious laugh. She enjoyed winning at poker, reading novels, tackling crosswords, and sharing stories. She always had a canine companion at her side – if she didn’t have one dog, she had two. Marilyn had treasured memories of traveling abroad on cruises, carried a sentimental love for Elvis Presley’s music, and seldom passed up a well-crafted Mai Tai. With a wise-cracking sense of humor, she was often surrounded by laughter.

Marilyn was born on June 1st, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, and is predeceased by her parents Sam and Rose Dulitsky and her brother Bernard “Bernie” Dulitsky. Her father’s Jewish family had escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe, making their way to America from Bessarabia, Romania in 1921. Marilyn graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush and later earned a certificate, magna cum laude, in Paralegal Studies from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach. She worked as a legal secretary for most of her career and later served as the Deputy City Clerk for the city of Virginia Beach, from which she retired in 1994.

Marilyn was a respected leader in her community, serving as the President of the Virginia Association of Legal Secretaries and as the President of the Seniors Club at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center in Virginia Beach.

Her first marriage ended in divorce, but brought her two children, Sharon and Jerry. Marilyn was a devoted and pragmatic mother for whom there was no problem too big to overcome. She was endlessly proud of her children’s successes.

Marilyn’s great love came when she met John at a bowling alley in the 1980’s, after being set up by a neighbor. She took pride in being a military wife and together the two enjoyed spending time together and traveling.

Her enthusiasm for shopping was legendary. She would often say, “I was born to shop!” and cherished her annual Black Friday shopping adventure that began at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving as a treasured time with her daughter.

Above anything else, Marilyn loved her family. Talking with them. Laughing with them. Being with them. Her husband, daughter, and grandchildren, Davis and Sammy, was the center of her life and all that she held dear. Now they will hold their memories of Marilyn – also known as hon, mom, and gma – as a blessing.