Marilyn and Dr. Gerald Fishbone knew first-hand how incredible research changes the lives of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). For more than 50 years, they were pillars in the T1D community, dedicating their lives to helping advance innovative research.
Marilyn and Gerald became deeply involved with Breakthrough T1D (then JDF and later, JDRF) in 1969 after their then-18-month-old son, Scott, was diagnosed with T1D.
“I had never heard of diabetes. No one in our family, before Scott, had diabetes,” Marilyn said in a 2021 interview with Breakthrough T1D.
Gerald passed away January 16, 2023. Marilyn, his beloved wife, passed away March 31, 2026.
After Scott’s diagnosis, Marilyn went on to found the New Haven, CT, Chapter, and remained an engaged volunteer and donor. Gerald served in many roles at Breakthrough T1D, including Chair of the Breakthrough T1D International Board of Directors (IBOD), Medical Advisor, Research Committee member, and donor.
The Fishbones created a legacy of service which is being carried forward by their children and grandchildren.
Their daughter, Lisa Fishbone Wallack, became Chair of IBOD in 2024 and had previously served as Vice Chair. She had also served as President of the Greater New England Chapter.
Their son, Scott, is a dedicated Breakthrough T1D volunteer leader who serves on the New Jersey Chapter Board and on the Chapter’s Executive Committee as Advocacy Co-chair.
“We believe in being involved and giving back,” said Marilyn. “Our kids joke that they never ate on a clean dining table because it was always covered in Breakthrough T1D fundraising envelopes. Most of the time, it was. We worked extremely hard and committed ourselves as a family to giving our time and energy to Breakthrough T1D and to inspiring others to join us.”
In 2001, the Fishbones’ then 5-year-old grandson, Harris Wallack, was diagnosed with T1D.
“His diagnosis, while still devastating, was so different. The technology available to make it safer and easier to manage T1D was drastically improved from when Scott was diagnosed,” explained Marilyn. “That is all thanks to the strategic leadership of Breakthrough T1D.”
The Fishbones are greatly missed. Their dedication and generosity to Breakthrough T1D will be felt by all members of the T1D community for decades to come.
