NORWICH – Marilyn (Gottesman) Schwartz, 77, prominent business woman and devoted grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 at her home in Norwich following an extended illness. 
The daughter of Samuel Gottesman and Ethel (Besner) Gottesman, Marilyn was born in Brooklyn on June 9, 1931. Following her graduation from Abraham Lincoln High School #410 in Brooklyn with the Class of 1949, she worked in New York City before moving, first to the Southern Bayou region and then traveling throughout the West Coast eventually to Horseheads, and subsequently to Norwich in 1962 where she co-founded the Credit Bureau of Norwich, becoming President and CEO in 1976.
Marilyn was a self-made, fair and diplomatic businesswoman who was very well respected among her friends and colleagues alike. She served as President of the New York State Collectors Association for many years. Marilyn was very proud of having been honored with the title of Chenango County’s most “Beautiful Grandma” by former Congressman Sherwood Boehlert.  Retiring in 2000, Marilyn served as a Hospice Care Volunteer for many years and was also recognized as the Volunteer of the Year in 2005.
Retirement afforded Marilyn the time to pursue the hobbies that she enjoyed including hiking and knitting socks, sweaters and scarves for her many friends and family. Her trademark quality was her famous sense of humor. A day did not go by that she did not have a new joke to share in an effort to make everyone smile.  Always the charming hostess at her annual “Kosher Fest” celebrations and informal gatherings, nothing gave Marilyn more pleasure than making sure everyone had eaten and was happy.
Marilyn is survived by two daughters, three “beautiful” granddaughters, two great grandsons, three nephews and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rose Oppenheimer in 1991 and her brother, Philip Gottesman in 1994.
A service in Marilyn’s honor will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31. There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to share a celebration of her life at her home immediately following the service.
Contributions in memory of Marilyn may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815 which should be recognized for their dedication to Marilyn.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at:  http://wilsonfh.com.