Maryanne (Rak) DeTullio, age 75, of Derby, beloved wife of the late Lawrence DeTullio Jr., passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, surrounded by her family. She had been living with dementia for many years and spent her final days at Bishop Wicke Health Care Center in Shelton.
Maryanne was born in Derby on February 5, 1951, to the late Joseph and Clara (Smolen) Rak and was a lifelong Derby resident. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in New Haven, Maryanne began her career at Union Trust Bank. In those years, Maryanne enjoyed many good times at her old stomping ground, the Old Heidelberg, experienced the great concerts and political movements of New Haven in the 1970s, and never missed a one-day sale at Macy’s or Malley’s. But her greatest claim to fame, and one she was always proud to share, was attending Woodstock in the summer of 1969.
Maryanne went on to serve her hometown of Derby both as an elected official and as secretary to the mayor. She spent more than 25 years as a legal secretary at the law firm of Cohen and Thomas in Derby, followed by several years at Dombroski-Hillis in New Haven. She also worked as a recording secretary for Derby, Milford, Seymour, and the Valley Transit District where her unique skillset of “short hand” was put to good use. A proud member of the Derby Democratic Town Committee, Maryanne was always ready to roll up her sleeves for a local political campaign.
Maryanne was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Church in Derby, where she enthusiastically served as a booth captain at the annual summer festival. She was equally generous with her time at St. Mary–St. Michael School and with Derby girls’
basketball and softball programs. She especially loved her many years serving as a Ski Club chaperone, where she rediscovered her love of skiing and, perhaps just as importantly, the legendary ski lodge lunch spreads. Above all, Maryanne loved living in the Valley and never missed an opportunity to remind her children how fortunate they were to grow up in such a special community.
If you knew Maryanne, you knew she adored her dogs, was a devoted New York Times crossword solver, and never turned down a good happy hour (especially at Frankie’s). But nothing made her happier than a house full of friends and family on Franklin Avenue, whether for a pierogi night or Palm Sunday brunch. A friend to many, Maryanne took particular delight in finding just the right gifts, especially for the small children in her life.
Maryanne is survived by her daughter, Catherine DeTullio; her son, Andrew DeTullio; her brother, John Rak, and his wife, Monica; and her sister-in-law, Sandra Rak. She was a loving aunt to Adam and his wife, Allison; Michael and his wife, Claire; and Aaron and his husband, Amr El-Shimi. She was also a beloved great-aunt to Phoebe, Tommy, Jane, Lydia, and Lizzie Rak. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Larry, the love of her life; her brother, Frank Rak; and her in-laws, Lawrence J. DeTullio Sr. and Ann (DiGianvittorio) DeTullio.
Maryanne’s family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Bishop Wicke Health Care Center for the kindness, compassion, and tremendous care they provided throughout her time there.
Friends may call on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth Street, Derby. Her funeral procession will depart from the funeral home on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Church, Derby that will begin at 10am. Her entombment will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery, Derby. Online condolences to her family may be left at www.adzimafh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the “Lawrence J. DeTullio Jr. Fund” through the Valley Community Foundation, 253A Elizabeth St. Derby, CT 06418. The fund will be renamed to honor both Maryanne and Larry and their lasting connection to the Valley.