Marilyn Fiero Overstreet, 78, died at her home in Mathews, on Tuesday, June 12, 2023.
A native of the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, she was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 15, 1944 where her father was stationed at the time due to the Second World War. Growing up in Canarsie she attended and graduated from Fontbonne Hall Academy. She was a graduate of Georgian Court College in Lakewood, N.J., where she earned a degree in Business Administration and History. She later earned a professional teaching certificate and taught seventh grade at the Mount Carmel School in Newport News. Marilyn also trained as a bank manager with the Bank of Virginia. She worked for the Norfolk YWCA and managed the Norfolk Women’s Shelter before joining the Friends of the Norfolk Juvenile Court, where she later became a juvenile probation officer. She also worked as a freelance interior decorator for much of her adult life.
While living in Newport News, Marilyn was active in the Junior League of Hampton Roads where she served as the state public affairs chairman. She was also a member and past president of the Junior Woman’s Club of Hilton Village.
As a member of the Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs she served as vice chairman for communications for the Tidewater District and was junior chairman of the state convention in Norfolk in 1977. During that year she ran unsuccessfully for Newport News Commissioner of Revenue.
In 1975-76 she was elected to “Outstanding Young Women in America.” She was also listed in “Who’s Who in Virginia.”
Following her move to Norfolk, Marilyn played a significant role in the planning and execution of the 1982 Norfolk Tricentennial. She was the chief leasing officer for the opening of the Norfolk Waterside Festival Marketplace.
Marilyn and her husband George Overstreet were married on July 4, 1992 and bought their Mathews home in May 1994, becoming full-time residents in 1999. Since coming to Mathews, Marilyn joined Kingston Parish Episcopal Church and served several years in the Altar Guild. She was a past president of the Garden Club of Mathews. She was a founding member of Mathews Main Street, participating in the planning for several RiverBall fundraiser events and many Main Street improvements. She worked as a volunteer with the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society and participated in an expedition to rescue dogs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
She is survived by her husband, George Thomas Overstreet; former husband, Alphonso Diaz; son, Alexander Diaz and his wife Margot; brother, Michael Fiero; niece, Marie Claire Fiero; stepsons, Alexander Overstreet and his wife Jaclyn; seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Caroline and Anthony Fiero.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. in Kingston Parish Church. A reception at the Parish House will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department and the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society.