Brown-Marfuggi, Sherry Lynn
Sherry Lynn Brown-Marfuggi, long time resident of Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2022 at the age of 75. Despite a long and difficult illness, Sherry's life was a joyful one, filled with music and a dedication to public service and to the people she loved.
Born in Michigan, Sherry moved to Norwich, Connecticut as a teenager. She soon settled in Guilford, Connecticut, marrying Louis Weady. While in Guilford, Sherry raised her children while helping with the family business. She got her first taste of political intrigue by participating in the town board of selectman and board of education races. After a short stint as a small business owner left her unfulfilled, she cemented her calling in the rough and rowdy world of politics. She began by volunteering for several local and state races and soon joined forces with the now-retired Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, serving in key positions for him while in elected office and in his campaigns, including his historic campaign for
Vice President, his campaign for President, and his successful independent run for Senate in 2006. Throughout her career, Sherry used her talents in the political arena to effect important Connecticut firsts such as helping to bring the 1996 Presidential Debate to Hartford.
Upon retirement, Sherry kept her focus on politics through a private consulting company but largely turned toward what mattered to her most – women's advancement and music. She favored organizations that helped women reach their full potential and those that sponsored children's music lessons. She established the Sherry L. Brown-Marfuggi Family Fund as a means of recognizing charitable organizations working to improve the lives of school age children through exposure to music.
During her life, Sherry was a director of the Komen CT for the Cure, a Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Corporator, a Bushnell Overseer, and a member of the fundraising committee of the Hartford Public Library. She was also a Malta House of Care “Wonder Woman” honoree. Sherry was a member of the Town & County Club where she happily worked on issues impacting women and girls in the Hartford community.
In 2018, Sherry married the love of her life, Joseph Marfuggi, former president and CEO of Hartford's Riverfront Recapture. Before illness took over, Sherry and Joe travelled, attended the theatre, ate good Italian food, and above all else, watched college basketball.
For nearly 30 years, Sherry fought disease that would have crippled many, enduring constant physical pain to mark items off her bucket list, make her mark on the political and music worlds, and enjoy a meaningful life with the husband that predeceased her.
Sherry leaves behind a brother, Jerry Brown (married to Julia Brown), two children, Barbara Hennessy (married to Matthew Hennessy) and Matthew Weady (married to Lois Weady) and two grandchildren. Sherry is also survived by several members of Mr. Marfuggi's immediate family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday June 22, 2022 at 10 am. in the Church of St. Patrick St. Anthony, 285 Church Street, Hartford, followed by a luncheon at the Town & County Club, 22 Woodland Street, Hartford. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Charter Oak Cultural Center or another worthy charity that supports music lessons for school-aged children. Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com