Marie Antoinette Zerilli

Marie Antoinette Zerilli (née Stillitano) was born in Brooklyn N.Y. and moved from Manhattan
to Wainscott, NY, after retiring from a successful career at Léron Inc., a purveyor of handmade
European custom linens. A talented seamstress who learned the craft from her father Domenic,
Marie developed a lifelong passion for textile design. Before marrying at age 25 in 1955, she
took a position at Léron and expanded her knowledge to the select world of embroidered artisan
linens from Italy and France.
After raising three children (Linda, Amanda, and Jeffrey), she returned at age 45 to establish
herself as an artistic and savvy businesswoman, whose work took her into some of the most
exclusive homes in the country. She worked with well-known people from the music and film
industry such as Linda Ronstadt and Steven Spielberg, but remained unfazed by great success or
wealth. Stubbornly attached to New York, she refused to retire elsewhere.
Marie loved life in the city and later in the Hamptons, where she was an avid bridge player and
friend to many. From early on to the last years of her life, she gave generously of her time and
her resources, volunteering for Visiting Neighbors, Meals on Wheels, and donating to other
organizations that help those in need. In declining health for some time, she died near family in
Ithaca, NY at the age of 91. Her compassionate spirit and love of life will endure.

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