Marie Garofalo, 100, passed peacefully in her home. She was born February 17, 1925 in Duluth to Anthony(Tony) and Helen Garofalo. Marie grew up in Gary-New Duluth and was a life-long member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. Marie attended Stowe School and was a 1943 graduate of Morgan Park High School. Marie worked for her father’s business, Hamm’s Beer Distributive and later worked at Western Electric.
Music was Marie’s passion. She loved Big Band music. She was a talented saxophone player. In high school she was known to play her sax along with a piano player as her classmates danced in the halls. Marie played in many bands throughout the years, including the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble, The Swingaroos Polka Band, and the Duluth Community Band. She led and played with the Windjammers until she was 96 years old. She called them her “Pals.”
Marie had a life well lived. In her early years she played softball with the Gary Merchants. She was in the Skyline Bowling League and bowled in tournaments all over the United States. Her team won the State Championship one year and also participated in the National Bowling Championship in Spain. Marie golfed with her friends until she was in her 90’s. She loved trying out all the different golf courses in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Above all, Marie loved to spend time with her family and friends. She had many stories to tell about in her 100 years of living.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her life long friend Dori Perich, her sister Leola Roth, her brother Robert Ryan, nieces Claudia Eskola and Sandy Stolis.
She will be sadly missed by her nieces, Donna Borich, Sharon LaMar, Jackie Johnson, nephew, Billy Roth, 4 generations of nieces and nephews, and many other special relatives and friends. She was everyone's Auntie Marie.
A heartfelt thank you to Aspirus St. Luke’s at Home Hospice, especially Nurse Donna, for all their care in her final months.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on February 7, 2026 at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 614 99th Avenue West, Duluth with a Visitation beginning at 10:00am followed by a dinner in the church basement.
