Marilyn Voorhees Hansen, 74, of Brunswick, died peacefully on Feb. 7 at home surrounded by loving family. Marilyn was born in Neptune, N.J. on June 4, 1936, the daughter of John Harley and Ruby Thomson Voorhees. She attended Brielle, N.J. grammar school and was a 1954 graduate of Manasquan High School. On May 20, 1956, Marilyn married Johan Hansen of Manasquan.
Marilyn, as a young girl, studied dance and performed in USO shows for our GIs. She attended the Barbizon School of Modeling in New York City, leading to a brief, but successful career in modeling, including work for the Jackie Gleason television show. Mrs. Hansen was also an award winning marine artist, whose paintings hang in many collections from coast to coast and around the world.
She enjoyed all things relating to the ocean, including catching salt water fish for her own aquarium. She was an animal lover, with a special fondness for horses. She loved the Boston Red Sox and played softball in summer leagues. Marilyn also enjoyed collecting antiques, picking songs out on her violin and piano, playing card and Risk for hours with family and friends and spending time at her cottage on Dyer Long Pond in Jefferson with family.
Marilyn was a member of the following organizations: The Manasquan River Group of Artists, Key West Art Center, Union of Maine Visual Artists, Maine Women in the Arts, and the Round Top Center for the Arts. Her works have been published in the American Artists of Renown, and in Maine Moments in New York, which was a collection of contemporary Maine artists.
Marilyn was predeceased by her mother and father.
Surviving are her husband, Johan Arnt Hansen of Brunswick; daughters, Jennifer and husband James Vyhnak of Bristol, Vt., Janine Hansen of Damariscotta and Rachel and husband James Thelen of West Bath; sister, Susan and husband Bob Montgomerie of Dundee, N.Y.; grandchildren, Hannah Voorhees Corscaden and James Albert Corscaden IV of Damariscotta; cousin, Douglas Jenkin and wife Cheryl of Jefferson; and nephews, Steven Tussel and family of Brielle, N.J. and Brian Tussel and family of Brick Town, N.J.
Visiting hours 4-7 p.m., Fri., Feb. 11 and funeral service, 11 a.m., Sat., Feb. 12 at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick. Burial will take place in the spring, date to be determined.
Family and friends are requested to attend fragrance free due to chemical sensitivity issues.
Memorial donations may be made to the Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011.
Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home, Brunswick, 207-725-4341.
