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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Marlene Nilsen

Marlene C. Nilsen sadly passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the age of 92.  She was a mother of three and grandmother of four.  While maintaining special friendships throughout her life, none was greater than her husband John.

Marlene enjoyed several interests including history, art, medicine, cooking, gardening, and travel, but probably none more than reading (and keeping) her beloved New York Times while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and maybe some Scottish shortbread.

She leaves behind three children: Susan Nilsen Muehleisen and Keith her husband, Keith Graham Nilsen and Laura his wife, and Leslie Gwen Porter and Cory her husband. Additionally, Marlene had four grandchildren: Katie Keith (Jordan), Jack Muehleisen, Ryan Nilsen and Brett Nilsen of whom she loved dearly and was always interested in what they were pursuing.

Marlene was born in Quincy, Massachusetts and loved the northeast, traveling there yearly to celebrate anniversaries and visit museums, art galleries and historical sites while enjoying the Fall foliage. She was known to have a few fried clams and a glass of wine along the way.

Proud of her nursing studies and career prior to being a homemaker, Marlene attended Simmons College in Boston and graduated from the Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing. She often and proudly spoke of her nursing background and was fascinated with reading articles and periodicals about modern medicine.

Marlene was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and served as the Head of the Alter Guild for years.  A proud Episcopalian, she painted the front door of her home the color red, faithfully went to church and loved seeing new churches wherever she traveled.

Marlene met John in San Manuel (Tucson), Arizona which started a beautiful and romantic love story that continued for 56 years and beyond. We are comforted Marlene and John are reunited, and she is now at peace and seeking out new adventures together once again.

A private service will be held at Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Del.

 

 

 

Funeral Services

A private service will be held at Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Del.

Condolences

    Jenny Bryant lit a candle and writes,
    To say that meeting Marlene was a pleasure is an understatement, it was an absolutely gift. From the first time I met Marlene she smiled and welcomed me. Every morning while doing my rounds of visits I made sure I saved time to sit and chat with Marlene. During our chats she would remines about old times; stories about her husband John and her children. She was especially proud that she put herself through Nursing school and she was proud that her children became successful. Marlene would always finish with enjoy this time because it goes by fast. Marlene's favorite times of the week were always manicure Monday, Chapel on Tuesday and her absolutely favorite was our country ride. Marlene's last country ride she made sure she was on it. She was dressed and ready to go she told everyone I'm going to get ice cream on my favorite ride. She loved the well familiar scenery and would tell everyone about the time she spent. I had the privilege of sitting and listening to Marlines stories while enjoying her butter pecan ice-cream. Country ride will never be the same, but to know that Marlene got to enjoy one last ride is a blessing.
    04/23/2024 02:13 pm
    BARBARA HIGGINS writes,
    A lovely woman and the first neighbor to greet us with something homemade from her kitchen when we moved into our home in Edenridge 37 years ago. My deepest sympathy to her family.
    04/24/2024 07:48 am

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