In Memoriam
Donald David Pet
Donald David Pet, 86, passed away at his home in East Hartford, CT on December 26, 2022, after a long struggle with kidney disease.
Don was born in Baltimore, MD to Morris and Shirley Petrushansky. He graduated high school from City College in 1954 and majored in psychology and philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, during which time he met and married Marilyn, his beloved wife of 65+ years. He received his medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed a residency in psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University.
Along with his wife Marilyn, Don will be missed and remembered by three sons and their spouses: Obbie and Su Lin, Pacey and Sue, and Russell and Karen; grandchildren: Mitchell (Gillian), Douglas, Steven (Rachel), Jacob, Anna (Zach), Kaitlin, and Nikki; and great grandchildren: Theo, Lydia, Mira, Elina, Isadore, and Ida Kay. Don and Marilyn always encouraged and supported education and creativity for all generations inspiring their offspring to fulfill passions in the health professions, engineering, law, music, and art.
Don started his career in the Public Health Service in Lexington, KY developing his expertise in treatments for alcohol and substance abuse. He brought his skills to Connecticut, where he worked with the State of CT to start DARTEC for residential substance abuse treatment. This program successfully pioneered the training of ex-addicts to become rehabilitation treatment counselors. Don entered private psychiatry practice and developed a community center to provide individual and group counselling, called the Educational Community.
Don developed a therapeutic approach to personal happiness which patients found extremely effective. His process emphasized listening and the role of word choice in shaping a framework for stress management and conflict resolution. Over the last 20 years, he extended this therapeutic strategy to world stage problems such as nuclear threats, pollution, and climate change. He wrote several books and created organizations teaching strategies to address these global issues.
Don developed a second career in real estate ownership and management. He thought fondly of the tenants to whom he provided housing. He also enjoyed playing the organ and collecting art in the form of wood, glass, rugs, and minerals.
Don’s passion for life and attitude of gratitude will be missed by all he has touched.
Marilyn Pet
Marilyn Pet, born in 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland, lived a life defined by humility, intellect, creativity, and quiet strength.
She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Pet, after completing a year of study at Barnard College. Together they began building their life and family while Donald pursued his medical education. As the devoted mother of three sons, Marilyn balanced the demands of raising a young family with her own deep commitment to learning. Her educational journey followed her husband’s career, spanning several institutions and culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky. Later, when her sons were in high school, she returned to school once again, this time earning a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Connecticut.
Marilyn worked for several years within the CT Probate Court system, where a mentor judge recognized her sharp mind and encouraged her to pursue law school. In her late 40s, she boldly returned to the classroom to earn her law degree. A good friend once teased her with a sign proclaiming, “Oldest Law Student Ever,” but Marilyn embraced the challenge with characteristic determination and grace.
Following law school, she practiced as a conservator for probate clients and served as counsel in the family’s real estate business. She was truly the “Mom” in a successful Mom & Pop enterprise alongside her beloved husband, Don.
Her commitment to community extended into public service, where she spent over a decade as a respected and popular member of the East Hartford Board of Education. Marilyn also nurtured a lifelong love of art, dedicating countless hours to refining her painting and drawing skills. Her artwork adorns the homes of her children and grandchildren and was featured in many local art shows.
Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Donald; her parents, Nathan and Kaye Levin; her brother, Howard Levin; and her sister, Ann (Levin) Ohl. She is survived by her three sons, Obbie, Pacey, and Russell Pet; her daughters-in-law, Su Lin Han, Sue Pet, and Karen Pet; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Marilyn left her mark on the world through her remarkable kindness and quiet resilience. She rarely complained, never spoke ill of others, and unfailingly answered “fine” when asked how she was doing. Even in her final weeks, she bore her illness without complaint. The positive example she set casts a long and loving shadow over her family and friends.