Marilyn Lois DiBiase

PORTLAND – It’s with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Marilyn Lois DiBiase. The Lord took her to be with her husband, John, on March 25, 2023.

Marilyn was born on March 2, 1928 in Freeport and was the daughter of Clara and Merrill Fogg. She was one of eight children and fourth in line. Marilyn grew up in Freeport working at various little jobs. In her late teens she worked for Woolworth’s on Congress Street and it was there she learned to fold clothes to a tee! Marilyn met her forever love, John, in Yarmouth and she and John married Oct. 25, 1947.

She and John began their life together and welcomed their first child Cynthia in 1949 and little did they know within the next 4 ½ years they would welcome three more children, Camillo, John, and Maria. Marilyn’s very busy life was ahead of her. She and John owned their very first neighborhood grocery store on the corner of Pitt Street and Forest Avenue for almost 10 years at which time they decided to move to South Portland and open a new neighborhood store called DiBiase’s Market located in Ferry Village.

Marilyn and John lived above the store with their four children and Marilyn learned how to multi-task very fast. She would care for the kids, make THE BEST Italian Sandwiches, paint, strip wallpaper, did small repairs to the home, chauffeur the kids and John to family gatherings, run errands for the store, deliver groceries to those who were unable to make it to a store, sewed, knitted, make dinner for her children, and then finally make dinner for she and John at 10 p.m. every evening.

She would always want to go to Freeport on Sundays to visit her Mom and Dad and see all of her brothers and her sister. She loved her Fogg family so very much as they were full of life and fun. Yes, she was busy and a jack of all trades, but never complained.

Marilyn was a devout Catholic and made sure her children attended Catholic Elementary School, and made sure her children grew up understanding the importance of faith, honesty, kindness, and respect. Marilyn was for sure the strong but reasonable disciplinary of the family.

Marilyn and John worked as a team their entire life. After running their second store for nearly 20 years, they moved to Carlyle Road in their early 50s and began a home daycare together. They worked very hard at that for 12 years but were SO VERY happy to have their evenings free. They were ready to socialize and meet a lot of new friends.

Marilyn joined a bowling team and in 1977 she and John joined the Italian Heritage Center, “The Club”, and their social life began BIG TIME! You would hardly ever find them home after 6 p.m. until it was time to go home and go to bed. They played cards, Bocci, danced up a storm, and gave many hours of volunteer work. Marilyn also worked as a waitress for many years. This was their life and didn’t miss a beat. Marilyn and John also began to do a little travel with their best friends. They took many fun bus trips as a group. This social life of Marilyn’s lasted until she was 86, at which time she lost her husband, John.

Marilyn was 86 and tried hard to continue to go to the club but she felt lonely and decided to sell her home and move to Assisted Living at Woods at Canco for five years. Even there she continued to be social and it was very hard to catch her in her room once she got ready for the day. She played Bingo, and joined in as many activities as possible and was able to eat all three meals with company. That made Marilyn happy.

At the age of 92, Marilyn’s health declined in a way where assisted living was no longer possible. She resided at Springbrook, Long Term Care Facility, for nearly three years. AGAIN, it was rare to find Marilyn in her room. Once she was ready for the day, she placed herself in the common area where she could see people, eat, play Bingo and other activities. Marilyn didn’t go back to her room until 7 p.m. She watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy each evening. Even on her last day of life she was feeling ill, but woke for a bit and suddenly said “HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO STAY IN THIS ROOM”. She wanted to go out in the common area to be with people. God Love Her!

Marilyn was predeceased by her mother, Clara Fogg, father, Merrill Fogg; her forever husband, John; brothers Edwin, Donald, Merrill Jr., Joseph and Ernest and sister, Emily and stepsister, Charlotte; and son-in-law, Scott Decker.

Surviving are her four children, Cynthia Decker, Camillo DiBiase (Linda), John DiBiase (Lynne) Maria Doyle (Edward); her eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren and one more on the way, due in May. We will remember her as kind, fun, selfless, our mother, friend, and mentor.

Dear Lord, keep her safe. She has now joined her husband, John, and they will once again be dancing the night away.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday April 5 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., with funeral services to follow at 7 p.m. Burial will be private.

To share memories of Marilyn or to leave the family an online condolence, please visit http://www.athutchins.com.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Marilyn’s memory may be made to the

DiBiase Scholarship Fund

c/o Italian Heritage Center

40 Westland Ave.

Portland, ME 04103