NEW HAVEN - Marilyn Gannon Kozin, 78, departed this life peacefully surrounded by her family on May 28, 2023 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was the beloved wife of Bohdan (Bob) Kozin for 54 years.

She was born January 7, 1945 to the late Walter F. and Anna (Meroth) Gannon.

Marilyn retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a Address Management Specialist in 2002. She was a communicant of St. Bernadette Church in New Haven where she was active in the Ladies Guild, the parish Carnival, meals for those experiencing homelessness and the Home School Association. She was Past Governor of the New England Region Venture Club Council of the Americas and was a member of the Morris Cove Mother's Club. She volunteered with the Special Olympics, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and served as the Queen Mother of the Branford Scarlet O'Hatta's Chapter of the Red Hat Society. She also worked as a ballot clerk in New Haven's Ward 18 on Election Day. She gained notoriety when she was featured in a People's Bank advertising campaign as well as various Democratic political commercials.

Marilyn was an avid gardener who planted pansies every spring and tomatoes every summer. She kept her bird feeders stocked with the best bird seed to attract cardinals, her favorite bird. She loved to travel anywhere, especially through New England with her husband and around the country with her son. The highlight of her travels was a trip to Ireland with her daughters, where she got to see the birthplace of her ancestry. She was proud of her Irish heritage and celebrated St. Patrick's Day as a major holiday.

She was strong, feisty and had an unforgettable laugh that made where ever she was a party. She will be remembered for her baked goods - especially her Irish bread and brownies-- and mailing cards celebrating family and friends' life events. But most of all, it is her loving and kind ways that made an indelible mark on so many lives. She connected with people, even strangers, in a way that made them feel loved and cared for. She was always ready to help and support family and friends. She will be missed by so many. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son John "Ivan" of New Haven and her daughters Jacqueline of Hartford and Christine of Woodbridge; her sister Margaret-Mary (William) Slater of West Haven, sister-in-law Patricia Gannon of North Haven and brothers-in-law James Murphy of New Haven and John P. Halligan, Sr. of Seymour, and 20 adoring nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Walter Gannon and Edward Gannon, sisters Janyce Gilman, Arlene Murphy and Anne (Nancy) Halligan, brother-in-law Robert Gilman, and sister-in-law Lois Gannon.

Her family would like to thank Connecticut Hospice for the wonderful care she received at home and at their facility, in particular, Dr. Prestia, nurses Alicia, Lauren, Coco, CNAs Brittany and Joan, social worker Jennifer and Marissa, their music therapist who obliged their Irish drinking song requests. Her family would also like to thank Helen Green for her loving care these past 2 years.

Her family will receive friends and visitors on Thursday, June 1 from 4 to 8 pm. at B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St., Wallingford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 2 at 10:00 AM at St. Bernadette Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, 385 Townsend Ave., New Haven. All attending are asked to go directly to the church. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven. It is suggested that contributions in her memory be directed to: Connecticut Hospice and the Connecticut Audubon Society. See her online tribute and leave a message of remembrance at www.BaileyCares.com.