Marie Olivia Carpenter

Marie was born on June 4, 1919, to Marguerite and Edgar Wood. After graduating from high school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she moved to New York City to begin a modeling career. There she met George Charles Hennings and they were married in 1941. Like many young couples after WWII they moved to New Hyde Park, Long Island to find work and raise families. George worked at Grumman Aircraft and Marie was a homemaker raising three children and volunteering at the local PTA and as a Cub Scout Den Mother.

While her family was the center of her life to which she dedicated enduring love and compassion, she was also an accomplished sports woman and artist. Marie played a mean lefty game of tennis and could conquer a round of golf, but it was ocean swimming that was her first love. Marie loved the sand between her toes, a baby oil baked tan and the crest of an ocean wave. She brought the family 3-4 times a week to Jones Beach State Park’s ocean beaches, which became a many year cherished family tradition.

Without any formal training until her retirement years, Marie became an accomplished artist in multiple mediums. When George and she retired to Hounds Lake, Aiken, SC, Marie enrolled in studio courses at USC/Aiken, joined the art guild and had many occasions to show her works. Her family enjoys many of her works in their homes.

Her husband George passed away in 1987 and Marie married Harrie Carpenter, a retired entrepreneur and fellow artist in 1998. They enjoyed many happy years of traveling, golf, art, community work, gardening and family get togethers before Harrie died in 2004.

Marie enjoyed life during her final years with the dedicated care of her live-in aides Verna and Cathy and friend Shirley.

For nearly 100 years Marie was a source of love, humor, cheer, inspiration and compassion for all who knew her. Known in her early years as “Sweetie”, she was simply “GG” to her great grandchildren. She had a natural grace and style, which was best to simply admire as it was impossible to imitate. We will miss her loving arms, joyous smile and the twinkle in her eye.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Chuck Hennings (Rita), Susan Neilson (Michael), Laura Kampa (Paul), 5 grandchildren (Cameron and Peter Neilson, Kim Hennings, Kathryn Nerko and David Kampa), and 4 great grandchildren (Marie Griffith, and Nairn, Peter and Elliott Neilson).

A private memorial service will be held to honor her life. Invitations will be mailed once a date is determined. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art at metmuseum.org/join-and-give/donate

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https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gotha-fl/marie-carpenter-7990798