Marilyn (Hadley) Toomey

Marilyn Hadley Toomey passed away in her sleep on Friday, December 19, 2025, after a full life of over 95 years.  She was born May 25, 1930, to Walter and Julia (Urbansky) Hadley and raised in Glastonbury CT.  While she moved from Glastonbury in her 20s to get married and start a family, she never lost the strong connection to Glastonbury and the family farm.  

For 47 years Marilyn resided in Durham CT where, aside from raising a family she found joy in being a member of Notre Dame Church where she volunteered extensively.  She also looked forward to the Durham Fair every year where she volunteered for the VFW and raved about their steamed cheeseburgers.

Marilyn enjoyed a long career at Connecticut General/CIGNA where she made many friends and was a mainstay of several duckpin bowling leagues from which countless trophies were displayed, all over the house.  Her farming roots were also evident around the home in the form of a large vegetable garden, shrubs, plants, and flowers, all of which she was constantly tending.  Marilyn had a green thumb and could make flowers bloom in a pile of bricks.  Another source of happiness was Marilyn’s love of the Boston Red Sox and the Men’s and Women’s basketball programs of UCONN.  Anytime any of those teams were playing on TV, she was intently watching, with her spirits visibly rising and falling on every pitch, every shot, and every good or bad play.  

While all of that was fulfilling, nothing was more important to Marilyn than family.  Married to Warren for 44 years, together they raised four children and while they did divorce after so many years of marriage, they reconciled later in life and spent the last years before Warren’s death in 2010, in an amicable relationship.  Marilyn is survived by Debra Toomey of Bloomfield CT, Patty Pratt of South Windsor CT, Michael Toomey (wife Sue) of Meriden CT, and Kevin Toomey (wife Carol) of Portland CT.  No holiday, birthday, wedding, birth, or any other meaningful event of her children’s lives was complete until Marilyn had tirelessly planned and executed the affair, complete with food.  Lots and lots of food.

Speaking of perfect people, Marilyn’s grandchildren could do no wrong and if they did, they had a good reason.  From the time they were babies and on into adulthood, Marilyn’s love and affection for them was unending.  Just a couple weeks before her passing, as dementia robbed her of more and more cognitive abilities, Marilyn had a perfectly lucid moment of clarity.  With bright eyes, a big smile, and clasped hands, she proclaimed “Oh my God, I can’t believe it” several times upon learning of the birth of her first great-grandson.   

Marilyn is survived by her grandchildren Ashley Zdeb (wife Jett), Nicholas Pratt, Brian Johnson (wife Maggie), Corey Toomey, Micaela Toomey, Mack Toomey, and finally great-grandson Reece Pratt.   Marilyn is also survived by her niece who has always been more like a sister, Joyce Moody (husband Bob) of Port St. Lucie Florida.

Family and friends may call on Monday, December 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 30th at 10:00 am at Notre Dame Church, 272 Main Street, Durham.  Burial will follow in Mica Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Marilyn’s name, to your favorite charity.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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