Marianne Zito, 64, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, with her family by her side in the AccentCare Hospice Center at ChristianaCare Hospital, Wilmington.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1959, Marianne moved with her family to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1971. She graduated from Concord High School in Wilmington in 1978. In 2005, she moved to Kissimmee, Florida, with her mother and lifelong companion, Lucille, enjoying a new phase of their life in the Sunshine State.
Despite serious, somewhat debilitating congenital health issues, Marianne was blessed with a happy life with family, friends, and many pets. This loving support network allowed her to overcome these challenges with a big smile and undaunted courage. In 2007, she received a kidney transplant from a generous family who suddenly lost their daughter. We extend our utmost gratitude for their gift of life, which provided Marianne with nearly 17 additional years of life.
After Lucille’s passing in 2009, Marianne returned to Wilmington in 2012 and volunteered for many years at the Delaware Humane Association. She always smiled and loved to talk and tell a good story, making people laugh and brightening their day. Marianne was funny, quick-witted, unapologetically forthright, and unafraid to speak her mind. She had a response to everything!
Marianne had an incredibly sharp memory, with a gift for trivia (especially classic rock music, movies, and television), and was the unofficial family historian. She was a huge Philadelphia sports fan, especially the Flyers, Eagles, and any team for which Rick Tocchet played or coached. She loved game shows, The Golden Girls, and her cozy condo at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Marianne LOVED to shop, especially for clothes, shoes, and jewelry. Her uniquely keen and colorful fashion sense matched her hip and sassy personality.
Marianne was also great at remembering and using people’s first names. This helped her harness relationships with those she knew closely or even as casual acquaintances. You could always count on Marianne to be the first person to acknowledge a birthday, anniversary, or other special day – she never forgot! Ever! Our lives are forever changed without her.
Marianne, aka “Ren” as she was fondly called by family, was preceded in death by her parents, James Edward and Lucille (Petrillo) Zito. She leaves behind her sister Alisa (Zito) Cianfrani and her husband Phil Falzarano of Naples, Florida; brother James Edward Zito, Jr. and his wife Lauren of St. Cloud, Florida; sister Geralyn (Zito) McDermott and her husband Tim of Dayton, NJ. Also surviving are her beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, including Lauren (Cianfrani) Buchanan and her husband Blair, their children, James and Olivia; Krista (Cianfrani) Rivera, her husband, John, and their daughter, Daniella; Victoria Bedwell, Jessica Bedwell; Paige (Zito) Halsey and her husband Brian, and their daughter Mia; James Edward Zito, III; Connor Christian McDermott; Robbie and Alison Williams and their children, Luca and Nico; and Rachel Williams.
Marianne is also survived by scores of loving cousins from the tight-knit Zito-Petrillo families of the New Haven area, whose proud Italian American roots and culture trace back to a few small comunes in the Campania region of southwestern Italy. Finally, her beautiful beloved dog, Ruby, will also miss her.
The family would like to thank ChristianaCare Hospital, Wilmington, especially the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the staff on the 4th and 5th floors, and AccentCare Hospice Center, as well as Complete Care at Brackenville, for their exceptional dedication, care, compassion, and support during her recent final journey, where she was affectionately known as “Miss Marianne” or “Purple Hair.” We would also like to thank Marianne’s treasured friends, Carol Donner and Cathy Blakenship, for their unwavering friendship and support of Marianne over the years. Finally, we would like to thank the kind and caring residents and staff at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue for their loving support of Marianne, especially during this challenging final chapter of her life.
In remembrance of Marianne Zito’s life, please consider contributing to Faithful Friends, 165 Airport Rd., New Castle, DE, 19720 (https://faithfulfriends.us/donate/); Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801; Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (https://www.tscalliance.org/ways-to-give/), or the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org/get-involved#give).
The interment will be private. A celebration of life will be held later.
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