Marguerite Anne Clark Grudberg

Marguerite Anne Clark Grudberg, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28 in Woodbridge. Marguerite was born November 28, 1936 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Thomas and Mary (Buckley) Clark. She graduated from Stratford High School and earned her bachelor's degree in history from Albertus Magnus College in 1958. Marguerite never strayed far from service to her community. After graduating from college, she taught 7th grade in the Milford public schools. Following the birth of her children, she taught catechism at Our Lady of the Assumption, and later worked for the LBJ-era VISTA program (now AmeriCorps). A special passion, inspired by family loss, was her many years volunteering for the local branch of the American Cancer Society. She also took pride in her bipartisan service as the Democratic Registrar of Voters for the Town of Woodbridge in the 1980s. All who came to know her – whether in school, the workplace, or the community – were touched by her grace and compassion, and many became lifelong friends. Marguerite's home was always a refuge to human and beast. From kittens born under the bed, to her beloved springer spaniels, to oddball cats who appeared at the doorstep seemingly on their last legs only to be taken in and live another 15 years, she loved and sustained the family menagerie. She was also the cool mom who made a safe space for her children's friends long before those terms were coined. She loved welcoming friends and neighbors of all faiths to the Grudberg home for lively Christmas Eve gatherings, and especially loved hosting large family Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Marguerite read avidly throughout her life, keenly followed current events, and passionately rooted for her many favorite sports teams; in a family of sports nuts, she may have been the nuttiest. Most of all, Marguerite loved being a mother. She was blessed with 5 children, all born before her 30th birthday, and devoted her life to them. They owe her an eternal debt of gratitude. She is survived by her children David Grudberg (Elisabeth Gillooly) of North Haven; Peter Grudberg of Quechee, Vermont; Michael Grudberg (Lorena Lopes) of New York; Mark Grudberg of New Haven; and Sarah Grudberg (William Corrigan) of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. She leaves her beloved grandchildren: Clara Grudberg; Patrick, Brendan and Katharine Grudberg; and June and Will Corrigan. She is also survived by her former husband, Ira B. Grudberg, whom she married in 1959. She was predeceased by her cherished older sister, Honor Clark O'Connell of Hingham, Massachusetts, and her beloved niece, Catherine O'Connell McDonough. Her cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and countless friends will remember her lifetime of kindness and good cheer. Visiting hours will be Sunday, February 2nd at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be a funeral mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 81 Center Road, Woodbridge, on Monday, February 3rd at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Milford Side Burying Ground, 1138 Racebrook Road, Woodbridge. The family encourages those who wish to express sympathy to consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of their choice.