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Marianne D’Eugenio, 68, of East Haven, passed away peacefully on Aug. 1 after a courageous battle with breast cancer, surrounded by her family. She was born in New Haven on Aug. 6, 1948, the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Perrotti D’Eugenio of Guilford. She is survived by sisters Eileen, Karen, Joanna, and Rosalind D’Eugenio, Francine Gumkowski (Michael), and by brothers Michael and Frank D’Eugenio. She also leaves her nephews Francesco D’Eugenio and Simon Gumkowski, and niece Nina Marianne Gumkowski.

Marianne was the oldest of eight siblings and the epitome of a “big” sister; she was loving, protective, and a leader. She was a strong, independent woman before it was fashionable and was a good role model for her younger sisters and her niece and friends. Her laugh and smile were contagious. She was a loyal friend and counted her cousins among her closest friends. She had a long career in accounting and finance, including at Blue Cross Blue Shield and at St Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. At age 50 she decided to “work at what you love to do” and transformed her hobby of making intricate and beautiful quilts into a second career, opening Quadrille Quilting in North Haven. The shop was not just for learning how to make quilts or to buy unique fabrics, but was a second “home” to Marianne and Eileen, who hosted weekly lunches and made life-long new friends.

She graduated from Guilford High School, Hartford Institute of Accounting, and the University of New Haven. She served on boards of several nonprofit associations, including Girls Inc., Healthcare Financial Management Association, and United Way. More recently she enjoyed being a volunteer for Agency on Aging in New Haven. Her defiance against cancer was intense and kept her with us for many more years than thought possible. She fought cancer with the words of her favorite song: “That’s the time you must keep on trying; Smile, What’s the use of crying, you’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just Smile.”

Her family would like to thank Dr. Michael DiGiovanna, Michelle Corso, and the staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

Calling hours will be Aug. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., Words of remembrance will be spoken at 6:30 p.m. Interment will be private. For an online obituary, visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.