About Marilyn
My background
awards/achievements
Marilyn's District
I have four children and three grandchildren. I was married to the late John "Jack" Devaney, a Watertown Firefighter, U.S. Marine, who supported me in everything I pursued. Working together, without personal financial resources. I began as a freshman in college with four children and a great, supportive husband (ABA - Middlesex Community
I have four children and three grandchildren. I was married to the late John "Jack" Devaney, a Watertown Firefighter, U.S. Marine, who supported me in everything I pursued. Working together, without personal financial resources. I began as a freshman in college with four children and a great, supportive husband (ABA - Middlesex Community College, BS - Suffolk University, Masters - Boston State College.)
- I served as youngest Watertown Town Meeting member and when changed to a City; elected as Watertown"s Councillor-at-large; served on various local and State Committees; most rewarding as Member of the Commission on Disabilities for twenty-two years. I am now completing my eleventh, two year term on the Governor's Council.
- I come from a family who overcame prejudice and discrimination and that is why from my experience - it makes me a strong proponent of diversity. My Dad was an Italian Immigrant from Sicily. In those old days in Watertown there were no anti-discrimination laws - no Italian was allowed to work in Watertown.
- When my Dad was a young man just trying to support himself - He was forced to give up his heritage-pretend he wasn't Italian - and was forced to go to court and change his name from Petitto to Peters.
- It always hurt to see my Dad's gravestone at the cemetery with a name he made up. Thirty years ago I went to court and got my Dad's name back - Petitto is my legal middle name. I experienced prejudice as well. I believe in Diversity!
- I was proud to join my cousin Joe DeNucci in the State House. I miss him. He was a great Representative and State Auditor. Joe and I shared the same philosophy - "to be the Voice for those who have no voice."
- Joe's Dad was a janitor at the Newton YMCA and my Dad went to the eighth grade- so there were no silver spoons in our family.
- When I vote no - I can document why and publicly state it - I won't vote for someone based just on being a political appointment, or just on gender, ethnicity etc.
- Please call me anytime at (617) 840-7689. I welcome your call. I have been honored to represent you these past years and I want to continue to work for you.
Thank you,
Marilyn
Marilyn's District
awards/achievements
Marilyn's District
- Acton
- Arlington
- Ayer
- Bedford
- Billerica
- Belmont
- Allston/Brighton, and Back Bay
- Boxborough
- Brookline
- Burlington
- Carlise
- Cambridge:
Precinct 8, Part of Precinct 9
- Chelmsford
- Concord
- Harvard
- Hudson
- Lexington
- Lincoln
- Littleton
- Marlborough
- Maynard
- Newton
- Shirley
- Stow
- Sudbury
- Waltham
- Watertown
- Wayland
- Wellesley
- Weston
- Woburn
Click the button below to see a detail map of all the districts.
awards/achievements
awards/achievements
awards/achievements
- I Migliori in Mens et Gesta Award
- Latin meaning, “The Best in Thought and Actions", the Pirandello Lyceum honors Americans of Italian ancestry who have excelled in their chosen fields and have made a significant contribution to society. Boston Magazine has called the I Migliori award the single most prestigious honor to be received by men
- I Migliori in Mens et Gesta Award
- Latin meaning, “The Best in Thought and Actions", the Pirandello Lyceum honors Americans of Italian ancestry who have excelled in their chosen fields and have made a significant contribution to society. Boston Magazine has called the I Migliori award the single most prestigious honor to be received by men and women of Italian descent. Read article.
- In 2020, The Watertown Tab honored Marilyn as a Woman of the Century, who has made an impact locally.
- The Tab cited that Marilyn has always gone "the extra mile" as Governor's Councillor and when she served as an elected Watertown Councillor-at-Large.
- The Tab was honoring the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 10th amendment which gave Women the legal right to vote.
- Marilyn was a member of the Commission on Disabilities for 22 years. She received an award for her dedication to people with disabilities.
More about marilyn
I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY
There is a law that allows attorneys who are elected governor’s councilors to appear before the people they have voted on - judges - etc.
The Governor’s Council consists of eight (8) members. Six (6) of the Councillors are attorneys- defense attorneys.
I have 100% attendance – every hearing from beginning to end (only missed two in twenty-three years- due to family deaths – including my husband in January 2001)
I am the only full-time councillor. I have met with every nominee from parole board to judge for the past 23 years - to the present time.
Council has no staff. I fully investigate every nominee. I will not vote for unqualified or insider’s political friends.
I do not accept travel expenses - the people I represent do not get paid to drive to work.
I am respectfully asking for your support to allow me to continue to be YOUR voice on the Council.
With my warmest best regards,
Marilyn
Your Governor’s Councillor
(617)840-7689