Marilou Zitnay Erickson, age 76, of Stratford, the beloved wife of Francis G. "Swede' Erickson passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017 in Bridgeport Hospital after a courageous 15 year battle with cancer. Born in Englewood, New Jersey to the late Louis and Lucille (Debner) Zitnay, she was a resident of Stratford for almost 50 years. Marilou graduated from the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in 1967. She worked for Dr. Walzer in Bridgeport for 8 years before returning to Bridgeport Hospital to work in the labor and delivery room from 1977-1982. She worked for OB/GYN of Fairfield County for 20 years, and finished out the last 3 years of her nursing career working Women's Health Care in Trumbull. Marilou was very involved with the Relay for Life of Stratford and was lovingly referred to as one of their "worker bees". She enjoyed trips to Disney World with her daughter. She loved the UCONN and Connecticut Sun women's basketball teams. Survivors in addition to her beloved husband Swede, include her devoted daughter, Gwen Cook and her husband John of Shelton, a son, Glen Allen of Waterford, a stepdaughter, Barbara Lynn Brown and her husband Donald of Shelton, her cherished grandchildren, Joe Allen and his wife Tracey, Paul Allen and his fiancé Melanie Magetteri, and Julie Davidson and her husband Alan, and the apple of her eye, her great-grandson, Jacob Davidson. A brother, Louis Zitnay of Rochester, MN, a sister, Arlene Talley of Berwin, PA, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive Marilou. In addition to her parents, Marilou was also predeceased by a grandson, David Allen and a sister, Lucille McCulloch. Funeral services are private and have been entrusted to the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Stratford in Memory of Marilou.