Marilyn Eslami

Marilyn Eslami, born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to the late Helen and Irving Meltzer, died Sunday, February 21, 2016 in Waterbury, CT. She is survived by her children, Andra M. Vaccaro, Esq. of Los Angeles, CA, Michelle Eslami, M.D. and Jodi Friedman, M.D. also of Los Angeles, CA, Jenifer Eslami, Esq. and Gary Scalabrini, Esq. of Manhattan Beach, CA, and Behruz Eslami, PhD. and Ingrid Eslami of Geneva, Switzerland. She also leaves behind ten grandchildren, Dustin Finkel, Daniel J. Finkel, Alexandra M. Vaccaro, Hunter L. Vaccaro, Javid Eslami, Daniel Eslami, Sara Friedman, Anna Friedman, Jonathan Scalabrini, Isabella Scalabrini, and three great grandchildren, Marek and Grayson Finkel and Gabriel Cahane.

Marilyn’s many accomplishments include being the first woman City of Waterbury Planning Commissioner, one of the founders of Crimestoppers of Waterbury, former Executive Vice President of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, past President of the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary for two terms and has been a member of the Board of Directors of St. Mary’s Hospital since 1976. She was also a past Girl Scout leader and a past member and committee head at Notre Dame Academy. Marilyn was formally on the Board of Directors of Beth El Synagogue, did the “Big Band Series” for the Waterbury Cancer Society, the Annual Radiothon for the Arthritis Foundation, worked as a go-getter for the C.P.T.V. auction, and was on the coalition for getting a mandatory seat belts law passed for drivers in the state of Connecticut in her former role as President of the Auxiliary to the Connecticut State Medical Society. She was also was a past-President of the New Haven County Medical Society.

Marilyn graduated from N.Y.U. where she received her Bachelor’s degree and went on to receive her M.A. from Southern Ct. State University. She also worked as a clothing buyer for Saks and Alexander’s in New York City.

Arrangements – A graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Beth El Cemetery, Boyden St., Waterbury. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation, 56 Franklin St. Waterbury, CT 06706, for a scholarship fund to be established in her name or to an organization of the donor’s choice.