Geraldine “Gerry” Marshall, age 85, died peacefully on February 11, 2022, in her residence at Sunrise Senior Living in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Geraldine Marshall, 85, died on Feb. 11.
Her full and colorful life and legacies as a teacher, artist, and independent spirit will always be remembered by her family and close friends.
The daughter of Louise and Sidney N. Zampiello, Gerry was born in New Haven on Aug. 6, 1936. Gerry and her older brother Richard were raised by their parents in nearby Hamden.
Gerry graduated from New Haven State Teacher’s College (now Southern Connecticut State University) and earned a postgraduate degree as a Master of Teaching Arts from Harvard University.
In 1964 Gerry began teaching AP English at Darien High School, a career that would last more than 30 years. Her commitment to her students’ education would be a hallmark of her tenure.
An accomplished life figure artist and large size canvas oil painter, in retirement Gerry actively pursued her passions and continued her voracious reading. She found artistic inspiration through regular visits to art museums in New York City, and made several trips to Europe to explore the art, history and culture of Italy and France.
Gerry was highly intelligent, keenly perceptive, well-read, and highly articulate. Logical and quick-witted, she made no bones about expressing her opinion on any given topic or individual. You always knew where Gerry stood on a matter.
Predeceased by her mother in 1984 and her father in 2009, Gerry is dearly missed by her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Helen Zampiello of Washington, Connecticut; her nephew, Geoffrey Zampiello, his wife, Amanda, and their daughters Emma and Morgan of Westport; and her grand-niece, Sidney Nicole Zampiello of Salt Lake City. Others close to Gerry who mourn the loss but treasure the memory of her include her dear friend and caregiver David Miles of Westport; longtime friends Tom and Susan Zawacki of Fairfield; and many former teaching colleagues and students at Darien High School.
A special website with more information and photographs of Gerry’s life journey is online at GerryMarshall.net.