Marilyn Grogins

Marilyn Grogins
August 27, 2021
Marilyn Jean Grogins (Marilyn Leichtman), 86, a lifelong Connecticut resident who was prolific about poetry and passionate about writing, teaching and the arts, passed away peacefully at the Lord Chamberlain Nursing Home in Stratford, CT on August 27, 2021. Born in Bridgeport, CT on May 6, 1935 to Sam and Helen Leichtman, Marilyn was an honor student and graduated from Bassick High School as salutatorian in 1953. She chose to study at Boston University on a full scholarship where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. After she received her bachelor's degree, Marilyn attended Radcliffe College, the sister institution to Harvard College. During her time at Radcliffe, Marilyn studied with Pulitzer Prize winning poet Robert Lowell. She went on to be an accomplished poet, educator, journalist and writer. Her poems were published in Redbook and Vogue. Marilyn greatly enjoyed teaching and served as an adjunct professor of English at Housatonic College for 16 years. Later in her career, Marilyn became a theatre critic working for the off-Broadway magazine, Other Stages. Marilyn ended her successful career working as a syndicated reporter for Gannett Newspapers where she worked for ten years as a food, fashion and travel reporter. Of all her many passions, Marilyn's greatest love was her family. While at Radcliffe, Marilyn started dating her future husband and life partner of 63 years, Jack Lawrence Grogins. They married on March 16, 1958 and began their family with the birth of their only daughter Auden. Marilyn is survived by her husband Jack Grogins, a former Superior Court Judge; her daughter, Judge Auden Grogins; her son-in-law, Ira Nachem; her sister Arlene Glotzer; and niece, Helen Glotzer of Boston, MA. Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral services Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. The family will receive visitors wishing to pay their respects just prior to the funeral service at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Temple Shalom Cemetery in Norwalk.