Geraldine Marshall, 85, longtime English teacher at Darien High School, loved painting, art museums
Geraldine “Gerry” Marshall, 85, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2022 at her Sunrise Senior Living residence in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Geraldine Marshall, 85, died on February 11.
Her full and colorful life and legacy as a teacher, artist and independent spirit will always be remembered by her family and close friends.
Daughter of Louise and Sidney N. Zampiello, Gerry was born in New Haven on August 6, 1936. Gerry and her older brother Richard were raised by their parents in nearby Hamden.
Gerry graduated from New Haven State Teacher’s College (now Southern Connecticut State University) and earned a postgraduate degree as a Master of Teaching Arts from Harvard University.
In 1964 Gerry began teaching AP English at Darien High School, a career that would span over 30 years. His commitment to the education of his students would be a hallmark of his tenure.
An accomplished life-figure artist and large-scale oil-on-canvas painter, Gerry actively pursued his passions and pursued his voracious reading. She found artistic inspiration by regularly visiting art museums in New York and made several trips to Europe to explore the art, history and culture of Italy and France.
Gerry was very intelligent, very insightful, cultured and very articulate. Logical and quick-witted, she did not hesitate to express her opinion on a given subject or individual. You always knew what Gerry’s position was on an issue.
Predeceased by her mother in 1984 and her father in 2009, Gerry is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Helen Zampiello of Washington, Connecticut; his nephew, Geoffrey Zampiello, his wife, Amanda, and their daughters Emma and Morgan of Westport; and her great-niece, Sidney Nicole Zampiello of Salt Lake City. Others close to Gerry who mourn the loss but cherish his memory include his dear friend and carer David Miles of Westport; longtime friends Tom and Susan Zawacki of Fairfield; and many former fellow teachers and students of Darien High School.
A special website with more information and photographs of Gerry’s life journey is online at GerryMarshall.net.