Marilyn Korowotny

Naugatuck, CT Marilyn Catherine (Best) Korowotny, 85, passed away on June 7, 2024 at her home with her loving family by her side.

Marilyn was born on March 27, 1939 in Waterbury, CT, the daughter of the late Catherine (Murtha) and James Best and was raised on “Kelly Hill” in Naugatuck. She attended St. Francis School and Naugatuck High School, graduating in 1957. On August 23, 1958 she married the love of her life, Edward S. Korowotny, and they began their life together at Camp Lejeune, NC where Ed was stationed in the Marine Corps. They returned to Naugatuck in 1960 and started their family.

Marilyn worked several jobs over the years, beginning at Murphy’s in downtown Naugatuck, then the Risdon Corporation before her marriage. She also worked for several years for the Naugatuck Public Schools as a teacher’s aide, and for many years at Dorfman’s in downtown Waterbury, “outfitting all of Waterbury in their Sunday best” as she used to say. Her most rewarding job was as wife and mother and she and Ed took much joy in their children, their spouses, and their grandchildren while attending countless softball, baseball, football and soccer games and swim meets through the years, and hosting the whole neighborhood at their pool.

Marilyn and Ed traveled a great deal as their children got older, and truly enjoyed spending time with their large circle of friends. While they often traveled to see Ed’s favorite team, the Chicago Bears, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play, Marilyn got far more pleasure in checking out the local shopping scene wherever they were, much to Ed’s dismay! In her later years, she strengthened the friendships she had formed many years ago with her girlfriends from grammar school, taking every opportunity to enjoy a lunch out with the group. Always sustained by her faith, Marilyn was a lifelong communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Besides her parents and husband, Ed, Marilyn was also predeceased by her brother, Jim Best and her best friend, Juliann Murphy. She is survived by her children, Edward (and Mary) Korowotny, Lisa (and Tony) Rotella, Susan (and Carl) LaFevre and James (and Maureen) Korowotny; her beloved grandchildren, Molly, Emma, Erin, Meghan and James Korowotny; her sister-in-law, Arline Best; Ed and Eilish Barbuto and Terilyn and Todd Esse and their families, who were her “bonus children”; several nieces, nephews and cousins and many lifelong friends.

Marilyn’s family would like to sincerely thank all of the staff in the VITAS Hospice Care Unit and also the 5th Floor staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their exceptional care and kindness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Everyone attending Mass is kindly asked to please meet directly at the church. Burial will be private and at a later date. Calling hours will held Monday, June 17, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers and to honor Marilyn’s memory, donations are requested to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org.