She was the wife of William, for 62 years, and the daughter of the late James and Florence Blessington of Marblehead and Topsfield.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Dana and his wife Marianne of the Netherlands and John and his wife Dawn of Pittsfield, and a grandson, Nevin William and his wife Margaret of Houston, TX.
Marilyn is also survived by her sister-in-law, Roberta Whalley Harney of Ormond Beach, FL, a brother-in-law, David Whalley and his wife Susan of Sandwich and several nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was a graduate of Marblehead High School and Green Mountain College, Poultney, VT. She lived with her parents and two brothers, James and Roderick in Marblehead for many years before the family moved to Topsfield.
Following graduation, Marilyn worked in sales at the jewelry store in Lynn owned by her father. Later her sales career continued when the Blessington family started a trophy manufacturing and sales business, Blessington & Sons Trophies, on Route One in Topsfield.
On September 13, 1958, she married William, who was raised in Salem. They were married at ceremonies at St. James Catholic Church in Salem and Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in Marblehead. They honeymooned in Bermuda, the first of many trips Marilyn and her husband took outside the country to cities in Europe and Asia.
After her marriage, Marilyn lived in Topsfield, moving to Wappingers Falls, NY in 1966 when William joined IBM. During her husband’s career with IBM, she lived in Endicott, NY and Ridgefield, CT before retiring with William to Cape Cod in 1996.
Throughout her life, Marilyn regarded these moves as an opportunity to make new friends. She enjoyed cooking and having family, friends and neighbors for dinner, cookouts and holiday open houses.
While residing in Ridgefield, Marilyn worked as an administrator for Ethan Allen, Inc. at its International Headquarters in Danbury, CT. She retired in 1991 after 13 years.
In 1996, Marilyn and William built a home in East Sandwich where they lived for 20 years until they moved to Mashpee.
Marilyn loved the Cape where she renewed her friendship with six former classmates from Green Mountain College.
Marilyn was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sandwich, and was a volunteer at the St. John’s thrift and consignment shop at 2 Jarvis Street in Sandwich.
Marilyn enjoyed playing Mahjong with friends and was an avid reader and a member of a book club.
Marilyn’s brother James died in 2013. Her brother Roderick passed in 2017.
Services and burial are private. For directions & online Condolences please visit www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com.
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