Wildred Iola (Rogers) Marvin

Wildred “Willie” Iola Marvin, 95, of Colchester, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, after a 10-year battle with dementia. She was able to stay with her family until the end, and passed with her daughter and granddaughters by her side.

Born September 21, 1926, in Niantic, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Ellsworth Rogers and Alice Spencer Rogers. In her early career, she worked at Cohen’s Dress Shop in Colchester and then American Thread in Willimantic. On September 30, 1944 Willie Married Dwight “Bumble” Rathbone Marvin, who predeceased her in 1990. Together, they built a family that was always her pride and joy, and the focus of her life. More than anything else, Willie loved her family and the company of others. There was a constant flow of company in her home and she was always hosting a gathering, a holiday, or any event that ought to be celebrated. For decades, there was an open-door event known as the “4:00 Coffee Break at the Farm,” which was a daily open invitation to anyone (even strangers broken down on the side of the road) to come over for a cup of coffee.

Affectionately known as Gram and Aunt Nene, her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, crafting, and mowing the lawn. She laughed the loudest when her sister, Ginger, was around, and she loved her weekly visits to Harkness Park with Carl and Cecilia. In her later years, she cherished her girlfriend posse and their weekly outings for dinner and a movie.

Willie loved to laugh, loved company, and loved to love. She was a woman who was kind and good and loved others, without judgement, changing the lives of those who knew her. She was loved by everyone who had the great fortune of knowing her, and she set the example of how we all should live our lives.

She is survived by her daughters Linda (Roy) Glenn of TN, Deborah (Terry, Sr.) Howard of Colchester, Alyce (James III) Donahue of Manchester, and Priscilla Marvin of Colchester; grandchildren Terry (Michelle) Howard, Jr., Robin (Mike) Cox, Dana Glenn, Susan (Peter) Kauffman, Ann (Nik) Alevras, Jamie Donahue, James Donahue IV, Michael Deane, and Scott Deane; great-grandchildren Nicole Byrd, Kaytlyn Howard, and Walter Glenn. The family would like to acknowledge her caretakers over the five years, Phyllis and Maria, for their loving care.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Nov. 29th from 4 – 7 pm at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester.  The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 30th at 10am directly at the Colchester Federated Church, Main Street, Colchester.  Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colchester, Hayward Fire Department or to the Colchester Senior Center. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com    

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