Mary P. “Marilyn” (Gentile) Chagnon, a life-long Medford resident, passed away on Sunday, October 29th at the Courtyard Nursing Care Center in Medford. She was 83.

Born in Boston, she was raised in Medford, and was the daughter of the late Henry and Marion (Pittore) Gentile. Marilyn graduated from Medford High School with the class of 1952.

She met her husband, Richard, while they both worked at the Packard Painting Company in Cambridge. They were married on May 4, 1958 at St. Joseph Church in Medford. She later worked as an administrator for Shawmut Bank, but the job she loved most was being a homemaker.

Marilyn was a caring and loving person who would do anything for her family and friends. She enjoyed cooking, and her signature dish was the famous macaroni pie. Marilyn was the host and the chef, for her family’s Christmas party and loved being surrounded by those she loved. In her spare time, Marilyn liked to take weekend trips to New Hampshire.

Marilyn was the beloved wife of Richard Chagnon, with whom she shared 59 years of loving marriage. She was the devoted mother of Richard H. Chagnon of Chicago, and Marianne Keenan and her husband Lawrence of Ayer. Marilyn was the dear sister of Ralph Gentile and his late wife Jean of Dublin, New Hampshire, and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Her funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford on Thursday, November 2nd at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Clement Church, 71 Warner Street, Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 through 8 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s name may be sent to the charitable organization of One’s choice.