Norwich — Marsha E. Malinowski, an international expert on historical documents and manuscripts, was named Wednesday as the 2016 Norwich Native Daughter Award recipient by Norwich Rotary Club and the Norwich Women’s City Club. 

Malinowski, a 1978 graduate of Norwich Free Academy, served as senior vice president at Sotheby’s for 26 years and is president and CEO of her own enterprise, Marsha Malinowski Fine Books & Manuscripts. 

She is also a senior consultant and director of books and manuscripts auctions at Profiles in History.

A luncheon to honor Malinowski will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Holiday Inn. The cost is $15 per person by cash or check at the door. Registration is required at www.norwichrotary.org.

Malinowski, daughter of Marshall Malinowski and Josephine Pawlowski Malinowski, grew up on Ox Hill Road in Norwich and attended the John Mason School, Samuel Huntington School and Kelly Middle School before NFA.

She earned her bachelor's degree at Wellesley College and master's degree at Brown University.

Malinowski said she acquired her love of history and languages at an early age in Norwich schools, inspired by her teachers.

“I had a couple of fabulous teachers from the very beginning, and that helped carve out where I was going,” Malinowski said.

According to her website, Malinowski has been involved in auctions of items penned by top figures in the history of art, science and literature, including Vincent Van Gogh, Monet and a letter by Catherine of Aragon written while she was imprisoned.

Malinowski also assisted with the sale of a baseball memorabilia collection that sold for more than $24 million, and the sale of a copy of the Magna Carta for $21 million.

She said with her parents now deceased, and her brothers William now living in Rhode Island and Paul in Canterbury, she doesn't get the chance to return to Norwich often.

“It really is a real thrill, and it's an honor,” she said of the Native Daughter Award. “I'm looking forward to the luncheon and seeing some people I haven't seen in a very long time.”

c.bessette@theday.com