Obituary of Marylyn M. Zerbarini

Marylyn M. Zerbarini

October 11, 1939 – February 16, 2024

Marylyn Maria Zerbarini was born in Brooklyn to Sicilian-American parents, Charles and Lena Mattina. The family moved to Flushing when she was a year old, but Brooklyn remained a strong pull: Sunday dinners with extended family on both sides and a lifelong connection to the Zammataro and Mattina cousins, many of whom were more like siblings than cousins.

 Marylyn graduated from Bayside High School, where she met her beloved Donald. High School sweethearts, they married in 1960 and supported each other every day. Marylyn received an Associate’s Degree from Pace College and worked as a secretary before and in the first years of her marriage and as a legal secretary in Manhasset for many years.

 Marylyn was a deeply faithful person, working to enrich lives through the Catholic church. She and Don were leaders in Marriage Encounter and taught Pre-Cana classes for engaged couples. In the 70’s, a group of families at St. Mary’s came together in study and friendship and action, calling themselves “the community.” This group brought music and arts and social connection to the church, sponsored a family of Vietnamese refugees, and generally worked for an engaged and activist faith. Marylyn founded and led a “folk group,” and is remembered fondly by the many teenagers who participated.

 At St. Mary’s, she was a member in a number of ministries: she was a Eucharistic Minister, sang in the choir, was a Minister of Consolation, helping families in the bereavement process, and a cantor for funeral masses. Despite her love of and commitment to the Catholic Church, she did not agree with all teachings and loved and supported her gay children and family and their friends.

 Speaking of teenagers, Marylyn was a volunteer for Manhasset High School Theatre – doing makeup for generations of student productions, well after her own children had long graduated.

 The remembrances that have poured out in the wake of her death speak of her love, her laughter, her kindness, her grace, and her beauty of body and spirit.

 She is survived by her husband, Don, her brother Paul Mattina (Connie), her children Lina (Dinah Mark) and John, and grandchildren Sarah, Liora, and Yael. She leaves a legacy of love and laughter and will be remembered with gratitude.

 Funeral Mass:  Tuesday 10:15am  St. Mary's R.C.Church, Manhasset with interment to follow at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY.

The funeral mass will be livestreamed , use the link below:  If the livestream stops during the mass, the full mass will be posted to our website after 12pm on Wednesday.

Livestream Funeral Mass for Marylyn Zerbarini