Marilyn Hodgdon

Marilyn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 23, 1931, the daughter of Harry and Dorotha (Runyon) Sawyer. At the age of 12, she moved with her family to Portland, where she would spend the rest of her life. She graduated from Portland High School in 1949.

On July 27, 1951, Marilyn married her sweetheart, Philip I. Hodgdon, and together they raised four daughters. Marilyn was a dedicated and hardworking woman who held positions at Universal Watkins and Grants Department Store. She was also a talented homemaker and seamstress, lovingly making clothes for her daughters. To supplement her income, Marilyn cleaned houses well into her later years, completing her final job at the remarkable age of 88.

Marilyn loved playing Bingo with her sister Blanche, tending to her beautiful flower gardens, and enjoyed seeing people stop and take photos of her flower gardens, She also enjoyed baking for those around her, known affectionately as the “cookie lady,” Marilyn generously shared her baked goods with family, friends, neighbors, bingo friends, cab drivers, and anyone who looked like they could use a sweet treat.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Dorotha; her husband, Philip I. Hodgdon; her brother, James Sawyer; her sister, Blanche; her daughters, Kathleen and Lisa Hodgdon; her son-in-law, Lee Holston; and her granddaughter, Ashley Holston.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Hall of Windham; her daughters, Nancy (Tim) Dean of Portland and Debra Holston; her grandchildren, Taylor Dean, Thomas (Mishla) Dean, Mark Stanton, Jake Stanton, and Brianna Holston (Erick Williamson); and seven great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to her dear friend and neighbor, Laura Burnham, whose kindness and support meant so much, especially with yard work and snow shoveling.

A Time of Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 5:30 PM at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine.