BIOGRAPHY

Genevieve Marszalek was born on Wood Street in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA, on 27 February 1914, to Pasquale “Patsy” and Frances Pangano. She was the second of five daughters. Her sister Sylvia Hall lived to be 102, and her sister Patricia Fojo was still alive at the age of 91 in 2024.

On 15 February 1943, she married Joseph Marszalek, who served with the FBI. The two of them had met while dancing at a hall on High Street. Due to her husband’s job, they moved frequently. They had one son, Robert (Bobby), born in 1945, who tragically lost his life while on duty in Hohenfels, Germany, shortly after his 23rd birthday in 1968. She worked as a typing instructor and bookkeeper.

Since turning 100, Marszalek had celebrated each birthday at the Bristol House of Pizza, a place she had been a loyal customer of for many years. She gave up driving at the age of 102.

On her 110th birthday, it was reported that she remains in remarkable health, still able to walk and maintain good eyesight. Her advice to others is, “Be good to people, and they will be good to you. Isn’t that right? And that’s what I try to do. I try to like people, and they, in return, love me.”

Genevieve Marszalek died on 23 March 2025 in Warren, Rhode Island, United States, at the age of 111.

RECOGNITION

Marszalek was the oldest (known) living person in the state of Rhode Island at the time of her death.

Her age was verified by Fabrizio Villatoro and Eli Logan, and validated by LongeviQuest on 19 August 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Bristol resident celebrates 109th birthday” – EastBayRI.com, 2 March 2023

* “RI woman celebrates 110th birthday: ‘Not everybody can do what I do’ ” – The Hill, 27 February 2024

* “Bristol woman celebrates 110th birthday; says secret is being good to people” – WJAR, 27 February 2024

* “Genevieve Marszalek Obituary” – Legacy, 25 March 2025

GALLERY