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05/27/2020 09:00 AMOn April 11, the Clinton community lost one of its most cherished story keepers when former town clerk Karen Marsden passed away. Recently, some of her former coworkers reached out to the Harbor News to share some of their favorite stories about of her.
For nearly three decades, Marsden was a fixture in Clinton Town Hall, where it seemed like she knew everything about everyone, and everyone had a fond memory about her. Some spoke of going on cruises with her for vacation, others joked about her favorite pink coat she always used to wear, her green Volkswagen, or the weekly phone calls to catch up on news.
One central theme emerged from all the shared memories: She will be deeply missed.
“She was a great mentor. We had a lot of laughs and a few tears but mostly laughs,” said Town Clerk Sharon Uricchio.
Uricchio said that one thing people will remember about Marsden was how caring she was.
“She was compassionate whether the person was a widower or whatever was going on she took time to help them whether that way was conventional or not,” she said. “She took care of a lot of people behind the scenes.”
A fond memory that people who knew her may also remember was that of her always-filled candy dish.
“If she knew you and what kind of candy you liked, she had it on hand for you,” Uricchio said, laughing.
“I have a great story for you,” said former First Selectman Willie Fritz. Former first selectman “Jim McCusker was having a retirement party and as a present I gave him his old chair that had been in the First Selectman’s Office in Town Hall. So, Karen went out on her own and bought me a brand-new chair for my office. A week later we got into a big argument over something where we both were sure we were right and now we’re not speaking to each other. The next day I come in to work and she had hidden my new chair and had put a folding chair behind the desk instead. I sat in it all day and at the end of the day she just came in laughing and said, ‘OK you win.’ It was funny as hell,” Fritz said.
“We worked pretty much hand-in-hand. We were together for a long time,” Fritz said. “She was a great town clerk. When people came in, she knew about them and their families.”
“She was a wonderful, wonderful woman. She and I became great friends,” said former town building inspector Justin Rossetti. “She was always very respected in the community by both parties and by everyone in Clinton. I always enjoyed her company...She was always someone you wanted to talk to.”
“Everyone she met was her friend. She loved people,” said Finance Department Accounts Payable Clerk Diane Yanyac, who remembers that Marsden was a “great story teller. She could tell everything with great detail...She was truly an asset in town.”
Town Hall Custodian John O’Connell first me Marsden when he was a student at The Morgan School 34 years ago and Marsden worked in the school office.
“When were both working in Town Hall, we used to joke we were following each other around,” said O’Connell. “We’re all going to miss her.”
“I worked with Karen for 20 years at the Town Hall. She was a very sweet and kind person, always smiling and always ready to help if needed,” said Town Assessor Donna Sempey. “She would come down to my office to chat mostly about her family, she loved telling me about her grandchildren, who she adored. She also loved sharing pictures of them. At Christmas she loved telling me about the gifts she bought for everyone, it was something we liked to share.
“I will always remember her office at Christmas she decorated with lots and lots of snowmen and I love the fact the Sharon (our current town clerk) who also worked with Karen, continues to decorate with lots and lots of snowmen, it will always remind me of Karen,” Sempey continued. “Thank you Sharon! I will always remember Karen as a kind and caring person who will be missed.”
“Karen was the necessary sanity, the den mother of Town Hall,” said former tax collector Melanie Yanus. Karen considered her position in Town Hall as her niche in life. She loved the responsibility it gave her and the opportunity to learn and then implement all the continuous changes/updates required of a town clerk. Karen set the bar high and was considered one of the best town clerks in the state. Karen loved working with and helping the public. The public loved her back! Karen’s love and caring ways lives on as an inspiration to us all.”