Portnoy, Marilyn 77 of Chelsea passed away on December 25, 2012. Marilyn was born in Boston and was a life long resident of the City of Chelsea. She attended the Chelsea School System and was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Class of 1953. She also graduated from the Chandler School for Women. Throughout her entire life, Marilyn was involved in both education and politics for the City of Chelsea. She was the past president of the Parent Teacher Organization for the Shurtleff School and past president of the Parent Teacher Organization for the Chelsea High School and a long time member of the Chelsea School Committee. Marilyn was an Alderman in the City of Chelsea for Ward #1, an Alderman at Large, and a Chelsea City Councilor for District 5. It is also very important to note that Marilyn was the first woman on the Chelsea City Council and the first female Alderman for the City of Chelsea.
She was also the past president of the Chelsea City Council, past president of the Shurtleff Street Shul Sisterhood, a member of the Temple Emmanuel Sisterhood. Even during her later years, Marilyn’s involvement in politics continued with her role on the Tenant’s Council for the Admirals Tower building.
Marilyn was the beloved wife of the late Edward Portnoy. She was the devoted mother of Randi Zeff and her late husband Robert, Robyn Iorio and her husband Philip, Cara Portnoy and Eric Portnoy and his wife Alaine. She was the dear sister of George Pickard. Marilyn was the loving grandmother of Jennifer, Jamie, Cole, Stone and Ava. She is also survived by 4 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151 Washington Ave., Cary Sq., Chelsea on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Donations in Marilyn’s memory may be made to the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home Foundation, 17 Lafayette Ave. Chelsea, MA 02150.