Florence Marino

Florence "Faunie", "Faun" Marino (née Fortin), 102, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025 in Venice, Florida. Born on July 27,1922 to Florence (Moren) and John Fortin in Hartford, Connecticut, she lived a long and fulfilling life devoted to her family, friends, and neighbors.
Florence was a graduate of Southwest School and Bulkeley High School before pursuing a career at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing. Her dedication to caring for others was evident throughout her life, both professionally and personally.
In 1942, Florence met the love of her life, Francis (Frank) Marino, MD, while working at St. Francis Hospital. They were married in St. Lawrence O'Toole Church in Hartford in 1946, after Frank returned home from the war. Together, through 44 years of marriage, they built a loving home and raised their family with strong values and deep faith. After moving to West Hartford in 1964, she and her family became active members of St. Timothy Church and later St. Peter Claver Church.
Florence's family remembers her love of reading, walking, the beach, the Sunday Hartford Courant crossword, knitting Christmas stockings, UConn Women's Basketball, and her "Faunie-isms"; a multitude of favorite sayings rooted into her vocabulary. She loved everyone "to pieces", wished for all "oodles" of fun, and was rarely "cross" with anyone. She was happily on call to care for grandchildren when needed, and if one was sick, Florence would report that "they are not out of the woods" but "headed in the right direction." At age 95, she gave up her homes in West Hartford and Siesta Key, FL to become the most long-standing and oldest resident at her assisted living home at Tuscan Gardens in Venice. She made many new friends and welcomed newcomers as they arrived. At age 97 she wrote a short autobiography and won the Tuscan Garden spelling bee contest. The morning of her 100th birthday, she sent an email to her children which read, "I made it."
Florence's greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her sister, Rita Fortin; her brother, John Fortin; and her children: Mary Murray (William), Rita Fry, Frank Marino (Chris Durkin), Stephen Marino (Lynn Sanzo), and Barbara Kenny (Herb). She was a cherished grandmother to Stephanie Moran, Joanna Murray, Jesse Fry, Seth Fry, Ethan Fry, Malorie McLaughlin, Brittany Dietz, Justine Marino, Thomas Marino, Claire Dougherty, Amy Marino, Alex Kenny, James Marino; step-granddaughter, Tracey Fry; and their spouses and partners. Her legacy continues through her 24 great-grandchildren and 20 nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Florence was predeceased by her infant brother, David Fortin; her sisters, Dorothy McDonough and Mary Elizabeth Fortin, MM; her nephew, Thomas McDonough Jr.; her son-in-law, Charles Fry; and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Florence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Calling hours will be Thursday, (May 22), from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, followed by an 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of St. Timothy, West Hartford. Entombment will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery Mausoleum, Bloomfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Dr. Frank and Florence Marino Scholarship Fund or to any of the Hartford Foundation's charitable funds at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving www.hfpg.org. Donations can also be sent to 10 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06106. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Florence, please visit our Tree Store.