Marilyn R. Sheerin, a resident of Plandome for many years, passed away at her home on Christmas Day, at the age of 49, following a lengthy battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Edward F. Sheerin, and four children, a son Matthew, 25, of Boston, and three daughters, Janine, 22; Suzanne, 21; and Kate, 16, all of Plandome.

Born Marilyn Pittelli in Astoria, on Dec. 28, 1949, she earned a bachelor of arts degree from St. John's University and a master of arts from Queens College, both in elementary education, and taught at P.S. 31, in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, from 1970-74. Marilyn and Ed Sheerin were married on May 1, 1971 and moved to Plandome in 1980.

As a homemaker and mother of four, Marilyn drew upon her experience as an educator, immersing herself in volunteer activities on behalf of the Manhasset schools and community. Her many years of service with the Manhasset School Community Association (SCA) led to leadership positions as middle school president and senior high grade level chairperson. Marilyn served for many years as a member of the Manhasset Booster Club board of directors, a class mother at the Shelter Rock Elementary School, and a CCD instructor at St. Mary's R.C. Church. Her heavy schedule of leadership activities, however, was surpassed by her day-to-day involvement in the schools and in her church, working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for young people. It was planning the school party, chairing the Thanksgiving food drive, or just being part of her children's extracurricular activities that brought Marilyn the greatest satisfaction.

Most recently, on Nov. 13, the Manhasset Booster Club honored Marilyn Sheerin at its dinner dance, for her many contributions to the Manhasset community. Marilyn received a standing ovation from the many in attendance when she facetiously characterized her honor as "... payback for 10,000 chocolate chip cookies." It was probably an accurate estimate, but Marilyn's true contributions to the many in Manhasset whose lives she has touched are far more valuable and enduring.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by a brother, Clyde Pittelli, of Carle Place.

Following a wake at Fairchild & Sons in Manhasset, a funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's R.C. Church at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 30, with interment to follow at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any of the following organizations: Community Cancer Center of St. Vincent's Hospital, 153 11th Street, New York, NY 10011; Monastery of Bethlehem, Grooville Road, Box 258, Livingston Manor, N.Y. 12758; St. Joseph's High School, 80 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn 11201; Sisters of St. Joseph's Convent, 1725 Brentwood Road, Brentwood, NY 11717-5587.