Marilyn B. (Giles) Cornacchia

Marilyn Barbara (Giles) Cornacchia, 88, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2023 at Morningside Assisted Living in Raleigh, NC. She was born in 1935, and grew up in Lowell, MA, the daughter of Ralph and Alice (Hurley) Giles, both deceased.

She attended Catholic elementary and middle schools, and then went on to graduate from Lowell High School in 1952. She continued her education at Lowell State Teachers College, where she met the love of her life, Anthony F. Cornacchia. They married in New London, NH in 1955 and went on to have seven children in short succession. Marilyn returned to Fitchburg State College to finish her teaching degree once her own children were in school, graduating in 1970. She and “Tony” worked for many years as educators in the Leominster school system, he as a music teacher and band director, and she as an elementary school teacher, initially at Lancaster Street School and later for many years until her retirement at Fall Brook Elementary School. They had many wonderful teacher friends, and rarely missed a Friday night dinner out with the closest of them. Marilyn was also an accomplished artist and was an active member of the Leominster Art Association while living in the area. She continued painting until well into her retirement, always reserving a room for her painting, no matter where she lived.

Marilyn considered her seven children to be her greatest gift. Although spread out geographically, they all remain close and enjoy being together for holidays, vacations and special events when possible.

Aside from her parents, she is predeceased by her loving spouse, Anthony “Tony” Cornacchia (1988), as well as brothers Reginald and Gerald Giles, and grandson Nicholas Cornacchia. She is survived by her dear brother, James Giles of Washington, DC and her seven children – Rosanne and husband Peter Mili of Falmouth, MA, Catherine and husband Gary Dionne of Laurel Springs, NC, MaryEllen and husband Frank Clementi of Atlanta, GA, Maureen Henneberg of Pepperell, MA, Matthew and wife Stacey Cornacchia of Leominster, MA, Jennifer and husband Brian Gilchrist of Raleigh, NC and Thomas Cornacchia of Leominster, MA. Grandchildren include Matthew Mili, Elizabeth (Mili) Knott, Gregory Mili, Danielle (Dionne) Sullivan, Toni (Dionne) Cade, Alexandra Clementi, Joseph Clementi, Annaliese Henneberg, Anthony Cornacchia, Domenic Cornacchia, Kelsey (Gilchrist) Dyer, Cameron Gilchrist, Andrew Cornacchia, Kyle Cornacchia and Ryan Cornacchia. Great grandchildren include Anthony and Mackenzie Sullivan, Eleanor and Margaret Knott, and Brynn Cade.

Special thanks and praise to Jennifer and Brian Gilchrist and family for lovingly managing Marilyn’s care in their hometown for many years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass on Friday, September 8th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anna’s Church in Leominster, MA, followed by a burial service at St. Leo’s Cemetery. Richardson Funeral Home in Leominster will be coordinating services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marilyn’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH at 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or Transitions Hospice at 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

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