Obituary of Marilyn Dvozenja

Marilyn Dvozenja of LaGrange passed away on May 5, 2024. She was 77 years old.
Growing up as the eldest child of Dorothy and John McGuire in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marilyn
knew early on she would change the world. As a young girl, she found excitement in learning
and thought if being a student was a profession, that would be the one for her. As a young adult,
she taught swimming and met some of her lifelong friends.
Marilyn went to undergrad at Syracuse University where her innate ability to help others
blossomed. After graduation, she held many jobs including bartending at Dogwood Knolls Golf
Course, where she met the love of her life, John Dvozenja. They married on August 16, 1975
and began building their life together. To continue her love of learning, Marilyn went back to
school and received her Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University. Afterwards, she
worked at Cardinal Hayes Home for Children where she would work for 40 years and become
the first female director at the organization.
Even with all her incredible community work, Marilyn always said her greatest accomplishment
was her family. She was the PTA President, an avid volunteer, and traveled anywhere in the
world to visit her children. It is through them that her love, kindness, and generosity will live on.
For her friends, family, and strangers who were fortunate to meet her, Marilyn did indeed
change their worlds with a kind word and a hug. “No greater gift there is, than a generous
heart.” - Yoda
Marilyn is survived by her bonus children through marriage, John Dvozenja (Maureen),
Margaret Carhart (Paul), and Kim Dvozenja as well as her loving children through birth, Joseph
Dvozenja (Leah) and Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas (Andrew), along with eight grandchildren and
two great grandchildren. Her brother Michael P. McGuire (Lois) and sister in law Marge Bittal.
Marilyn is predeceased by her best friend and husband, John Dvozenja, her infant son Matthew
Dvozenja, her brother John J. McGuire, her sisters in law Helen Kazmirowski, Elizabeth Bitil,
Milka Berberovic, brothers in law Stevan Berberovic, Joseph Bitil, and Walter Bittal.
Friends may call on Friday, June 14 from 4 to 7pm at Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse, 35
Main Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilyn’s
memory to Arts Mid-Hudson, Inc. 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Ste F, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.