Marion Conway
Noank — Marion Julia Mucciarone Conway left this world on Oct. 1, 2017, with loved ones by her side. Born in Franklin, Mass., on Oct. 18, 1930, she was the eldest child of Elio and Susan Sciarra Mucciarone. Marion married Charles Conway on June 20, 1953, eventually settling in Noank, where they raised their five children and became avid sailboaters.
A 1952 graduate of Emmanuel College in Boston, Mass., Marion lived and worked in Washington, D.C., prior to her marriage. Working for the National Security Agency during the Cold War, she decoded and translated highly classified documents. This talent transferred into fun, and in later years, as fierce competition with her husband, Charlie, as she easily solved the cryptoquotes in the daily newspapers.
After marriage, Marion became a Latin and Spanish teacher, eventually working at McGuffie High School in Claysville, Pa. She later taught at Ledyard High School, retiring from the Ledyard School District in June of 1992.
Marion’s greatest joy was her family and hosting meals for her extended family and friends. Her prowess in cooking was well known, with few turning down an opportunity to enjoy her homemade pasta, meatballs and gravy, and Italian pizzelles.
Marion was also accomplished in the needle arts, creating beautiful samplers for loved ones and knitting warm Irish sweaters and baby blankets for family.
Marion leaves five children of whom she was very proud, Brendan and Hannah Conway of Laconia, N.H., Dennis and Elaine Conway of Springfield, Mass., Charles and Joan Conway of Rochester, N.Y., Thomas and Amy Conway of South Windsor, and Susan and Lawrence Fenn of East Lyme. Also cherishing her memory are grandchildren, Rebecca, Brendan, Charles, Kristen, William, Eric, Caitlin, Thomas Jr, Michael, Matthew and Julia; and great-grandchildren, Trent, Riley, Emma, Elio, Luca, Helen, Ming, Quinn and James. Marion is also survived by a sister, Adeline Donahue of Havelock, N.C.
Marion was predeceased by her loving husband Charles, her parents, an infant daughter, Mary Ann, her brother Alfred Mucciarone, and a grandson, Dennis Jr.
In addition to her family, Marion loved dogs. Living on a farm in Claysville, Pa., Marion bred Great Danes. After living in Noank for some years, she and Charlie became proud owners of their first Golden Retriever. Marion’s final Golden, Abernathy, became her constant companion, even visiting her in the hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer, 69 Groton Long Point Road, Groton. Burial will be private.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marion’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.