Lebanon, N.H. —
She was born in West Topsham, Vt., Jan. 26, 1937, to George Austin and Pearl (Morrison) Austin. Marilyn grew up in West Fairlee, Vt., and attended West Fairlee Elementary School and graduated from Thetford Academy in 1954. She attended UVM, and a sense of adventure led her and a griend to travel the U.S. with California being the goal.
When she returned to Vermont, Marilyn taught at Stevens District in Thetford, Vt. It was a one-room schoolhouse grades 1-8. She would go to work early to start the fire in the stove on cold winter mornings.
In addition to teaching, Marilyn worked as a cook, waitress, secretary and she modeled while in college. She was passionate about politics and was offered to serve as a New Hampshire delegate to the United Nations.
Marilyn was married to James Mann on June 10, 1957, in West Fairlee. At this time Jim was serving in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Panama where Marilyn joined him. Their first daughter, Kimberley, was born in Panama in 1958. Jim and Marilyn returned to Vermont when Jim was discharged from the navy and made their home in West Fairlee. They welcomed their second daughter, Karlena, in 1963.
Marilyn worked for several years as a secretary to the president of Dartmouth College and for Professor Dean of Thayer School of Engineering.
She spent thirty-plus years living in West Lebanon, N.H. “Live free or die” was her mantra and she loved the fact that it was displayed on her license plate.
In recent years she lived with her daughter and family in Hartford, Vt.
Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Kimberley Stone and husband, John of Hereford, Ariz.; daughter, Karlena Ilsley and husband Brent of Hartford; grandsons, Zechariah Stone and David Ilsley and granddaughter, Moriah Stone; sisters, Roberta Jones of Omaha, Neb., Pearl Keene of East Topsham, Vt.; brother Maurice (Buzz) Austin of West Fairlee; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Jim; her sister, Bettina Bacon; and an infant brother, George.
A private service will be held at the family’s convenience.
Donations in Marilyn’s name can be made to the Vermont Department of Mental Health, 26 Terrace St., Montpelier, VT 05602.
We love you MAM and will miss your infinite wisdom, objectivity, humility, generous, passionate caring and often humorous soul. Be in heaven forever young and beautiful and in everlasting peace.