Beloved Bristol native passes away at 111 years old
Mar 25, 2025
BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — Genevieve Marzalek, the Bristol native who just celebrated her 111th birthday last month, has died, 12 News has learned.
Marzalek, who was born on February 27, 1914, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, according to her obituary. She was believed to be the oldest Rhode
Islander at the time of her passing.
She was the wife of Joseph Marzalek and mother of the late Robert "Bobby" Marzalek, who was killed in the line of duty in Germany back in July 1968.
Marzalek was a staple at the Bristol House of Pizza. She frequented the pizzeria every Wednesday for nearly two decades prior to her death, and also celebrated her last 11 birthdays at the restaurant.
RELATED: Bristol woman celebrates 111th birthday at favorite pizzeria
The Bristol House of Pizza wrote in a social media post Sunday night that Marzalek was "truly one-of-a-kind."
"It saddens us that your favorite corner will no longer be occupied by your presence on Wednesdays sipping on the 'best' coffee in town while enjoying your slice of pepperoni pizza," the Bristol House of Pizza said of Marzalek. "We will miss your wittiness, your spark, hearing about your life’s stories and adventures but most importantly we will miss your smile and laughter."
Marzalek taught commercial typewriting and bookkeeping at Guiteras Junior High School in Bristol for years before traveling across the country with her husband, who worked for the FBI.
Calling hours for Marzalek will take place between 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sansone Funeral Home in Bristol. Her funeral is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning at the Sansone Funeral Home and then move to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Marzalek will then be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery.
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