Marilyn Giolas

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, Marilyn Giolas, loving wife and mother of 3 children, passed away at the age of 86. While battling dementia, she displayed the same exceptional strength, grace, and kindness with which she lived her entire life. Marilyn was born in West Virginia to Fred and Florence. Marilyn received a B.S from Purdue University and an M.S. from University of Pittsburgh. She worked as an Audiologist and was a strong advocate for the hearing impaired. In 1960, she married Thomas G Giolas and while starting their lives together in Alabama in the early 60's, Marilyn and Tom became active in the Civil Rights Movement. They always cared deeply about equality and inclusivity. Marilyn was active in her community and served as president of the League of Women's Voters. She was also an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and engaged in multiple charitable organizations including delivering Meals on Wheels up until she received her dementia diagnosis. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Thomas Giolas, and brother, Fred Heasley. She is survived by her sister, Florence Gregg, her children, Lynn, Marina, and Dean, as well as her grandchildren, Ben, Jacob, Thomas, and Stella. Marilyn loved her family above all else (with the possible exception of UCONN Basketball). She will be greatly missed and remain in our hearts forever. A Memorial service will be held on December 4, 2021 at 1pm at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Storrs, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center.