Marion Fey
Asheville, N.C. — Marion Torza Fey, 75, formerly of Groton Long Point, and loving wife of the late Leon W. Fey, died peacefully Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, N.C.
Born Jan. 5, 1945, in Hartford, the daughter of the late Jack and Alice Torza, she grew up in Hartford and West Hartford and attended elementary and high school in Hartford. Marion graduated from Upsala College in New Jersey as a member of the Class of 1964, then received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut in 1966.
Marion met the love of her life, Leon W. Fey, while employed as a social worker for the City of Hartford. They were married on Dec. 18, 1965. She then worked at Hartford Hospital as a social worker for 15 years. Marion and Leon lived in Avon during this time, where together they helped grow an antiques business. The time also saw the arrival of their son, Geoffrey, in 1972.
They eventually moved to their dream home on the shoreline in Groton Long Point, where Marion worked as director of social services for Camelot Nursing Home and Pendleton Nursing Home, as well as per diem at Backus Hospital. She and Leon also built several homes together in Groton Long Point.
Marion was always active in the church and in Geoff’s schools. She served as president of the Board of Directors for the Noank Baptist Group Homes and was involved in the mentoring program for girls. She was also active in the GLP Women’s Club.
Marion later retired to The Villages in Florida, where she loved spending time with her cousin, Betty Ann Savino. She was involved in many clubs and served as her neighborhood secretary. Marion especially loved playing Mahjong, shuffleboard, and going out to eat with Mary and the rest of her special group of friends. She was also an avid amateur artist and loved painting scenes of her trip to Italy and other works for her grandsons.
Marion loved to travel with her husband and son, and later with her cousin and good friends. She felt very fortunate to be able to experience places like France, Italy, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, the Arctic, and others. One of her favorite trips was going numerous times with Leon and Geoffrey to St. Barth’s, where they once spent Christmas. Another was treating her grandchildren with a trip to Disney World. Marion was an avid birdwatcher and conquered difficult terrain on many birding trips both in the United States and abroad. She also loved spending great times with lifelong friends Janice Johnston, Eva Guidera, and Antoinette “Toni” Smith, as well as many wonderful experiences with her friend and neighbor Bernadette Figura.
This past year she moved to Asheville, N.C., to be close to her family. Marion always placed the welfare of others above her own. She touched so many people’s hearts with her kindness and compassion, and the love she had for her family and friends will never be forgotten.
Aside from her son, Geoff, Marion leaves a daughterin-law, Vivian, their sons, Bradyn and William; a brother, Jack Torza, his wife, Debbie, son Jack Torza and his wife, Angela, daughter, Amy Deuell and her husband, Danny, and daughter, Jennifer Nosse and her husband, David. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Viola Tomm, and her daughter, Serena.
The memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Noank Baptist Church, 69 Main St., Groton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude. org.