Marilyn Gayle Zellitti, age 81, died Friday, April 15, 2016 in Durango, Colorado. She was born in Pierre, South Dakota on July 30, 1934 to William and Gladys Foukas. After her father’s death, Marilyn helped her mother care for her two younger brothers. She worked as a Page at the State Capitol Building in Pierre until her graduation from high school in 1951.
After graduating, Marilyn moved to Chicago, Il. where she attended an Airline Academy. After her training, she went to work as a Teletype operator for the Airline in Chicago. It was there she met Anthony Zellitti while he was in the Military. They were married January 10, 1954.
They returned to Durango to continue working the family farm on the Florida Mesa. They raised their three sons, Gary, Barry and Terry on the last operating dairy in the Four Corners. It was in operation for more than 45 years supplying milk to Creamland Dairies. Marilyn kept order over the house, books, family and cows where she spent her days making sure the dairy farm operated smoothly.
She was an accomplished bowler, never missing a Tuesday league. She was active on the PTA while her boys were in school. She was known for being very outspoken. She loved her Cadillacs and slot machines.
She is proceeded in death by her parents William and Gladys Foukas and her in-laws Luigi and Florence Zellitti. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Anthony Zellitti; her sons Gary (Rhonda), Barry (Martha) and Terry all of Durango; her brothers, Bill Foukas of Durango and Larry Foukas of Phoenix; her grandchildren Kristi (Cody) Burt of Cloudcroft, NM, Chad (Amanda) Zellitti of Durango, Tracy (Cody) Willbanks of Eaton, CO, Misty (Tim) Smith of Bayfield, Lindsey (Brad) Mills of Burlington, CO, Travis Zellitti of Gillette, WY, Tarra Stevens of Durango and Tanner (Lynaya) Zellitti of Durango; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Sky Ute Casino Event Center, Ignacio, Colorado.