Marilyn Estelle Gaignat Pieroni peacefully passed from this earth on Aug. 14 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Marilyn was born June 17, 1938, in Manhattan, New York to Grace Russell and Victor Gaignat and grew up in Port Washington, New York. She had two older sisters, Frances (Nancy) and Elizabeth (Betty) who preceded her in death. She met her husband, Leonard Jr., who hailed from Chicago, at a dance at University of Notre Dame, when introduced by a mutual friend. Love ensued and Marilyn and Len were married in Port Washington on July 23, 1961. They were blessed with two children Leonard III (Len) and Victoria (Vicki) and bought their first home outside Princeton, New Jersey. In 1972, the family made the leap to the West Coast when Len was offered a position at Ralph M. Parsons Corporation, and they settled in La Cañada Flintridge. She lived in their original California home until her death.
While Len worked diligently at Parsons where he later became Chairman and CEO, Marilyn managed the family with zeal and grace. She was very active in her community with clubs that included Newcomers, Stardusters, The Assistance League, The Thursday Club, and the Scholarship League, to name a few. She volunteered at their children’s schools, which included the role of PTA president. La Cañada was a special place for them, and they formed many friendships that remain today. Marilyn and Len enjoyed traveling, boating between Newport Beach and Catalina, as well as spending time with friends and family. Marilyn shared her God-given gifts far and wide.
Len was given several work assignments away from La Cañada Flintridge. Len and Marilyn spent time living in Houston, London and Boston before returning home.
Their 35-year marriage came to a tragic end when Len was killed in a plane crash in 1996, that we all remember sadly to this day. Marilyn subsequently rose to the challenge and bravely navigated single life with strength and vigor. She not only took charge of all the affairs of the family and home, but also cultivated new friendships and traveled the world with those friends.
As a volunteer with LCF Tournament of Roses, Marilyn met another volunteer, Jeb Long. Their union was blessed on May 15, 2004, and they enjoyed 20 years of beautiful companionship. Jeb cared for Marilyn through her dying hours with great love and compassion for which we are so grateful. They enjoyed many wonderful years with new and old friends. They enjoyed the Voyagers at LCPC, travel and playing cards daily. She was especially involved and interested in the education and activities of her grandchildren, in whom she took great pride.
Marilyn is survived by her son, Len III, his wife Brenda, their two children, Allison and Len IV and her daughter Victoria (Pieroni-Feiner), her husband Steve and their two children Greg and Thomas. She was looking forward to the upcoming marriage of the youngest grandchild, Len to Regina Fox. She is also survived by Jeb’s son, Dale Daniel, his wife Carole and their children, Olivia and Garrett.
We will all miss Marilyn’s generous nature and loving presence; she was always part of our lives.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Bede the Venerable on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 9:30 a.m. with a reception following at her favorite Thursday Club. A private family interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Bede the Venerable Church, St. Francis High School, or Tunnels to Towers in Marilyn’s memory.
