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Marion Cooksley

Marion Hoben Cooksley, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 1, 2024. Marion grew up in Naugatuck, in a multi-generational home, where she and her six brothers and sisters were in and out of constant mischief.

She graduated from Saint Margaret’s School for Girls in Waterbury, and attended UConn in Storrs, and Southern Connecticut State University where she majored in English and history. She later earned an MSW at the UConn School of Social Work. Marion married and had a family with Stanley Banaszewski (divorced).

More than anything, Marion loved to swim and read. She appreciated all the times spent with family and relished the large family reunions where her wry sense of humor was on full display. The beauty of flowers captured her heart. Her cat Miranda provided much joy to Marion; she was the second of two adopted from the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Professionally, Marion worked as a social worker for many years, and this made perfect sense as she loved people. She was a mentor to many and always advocated for a more just world, especially for those in recovery.

She is survived by her three daughters, Marion (Gregory) Belanger, Anne Banaszewski, and Tania (John) Lanzillotto; grandchildren, John Belanger (Julia Bennett) and Valerie Belanger (William Reynolds); great-grandchildren, Isabella and Grayson Belanger Reynolds; siblings, John (Jane) Hoben and Sandra (Allen Goodman) Hoben; and sister-in-law Sue Hoben. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Marion (Butler) Hoben; siblings, Suzanne Hinchey, Richard Hoben, Barbara Dotts, and Bruce Hoben. She adored her many cousins, nieces, and nephew; they brought so much love and light into her world. Marion will be dearly missed.

Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. Burial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 6, in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405; https://www.hospice.com/ or Guilford Meals on Wheels, 310 State Street, Unit 200, Guilford, CT 06437; givct.org/meals-on-wheels To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.