BREWER and BANGOR – Marilyn Frances (Seekins) Amsden, 78, died peacefully Nov. 23, 2007, at a Bangor health care facility. She was born July 1, 1929, in Waterville, the daughter of Bertelle and Mildred (Clark) Seekins. Marilyn was a graduate of Greely Institute, Cumberland Center and Farmington State Teachers College, Farmington, in 1951 with a degree in home economics. She taught home economics at Caribou High School, was a substitute tea-cher and tutor in Bangor and Brewer, and owned Viking Sewing Center, Bangor and Brewer, for 21 years, where she enjoyed the relationship with hundreds of customers and retired in 2000. Marilyn was an active member of Hammond Street Congregational Church, Bangor, where she taught Sunday school, served as a deacon, ushered, participated in the Women’s Fellowship and was instrumental in founding the Ecumenical Food Cupboard. Her interests included knitting, rug hooking, sewing, quilting and cake decorating. Several of her craft products won prizes at the Bangor Fair. One of her special loves was creating different Halloween costumes for each of her grandchildren during their early years. For many years she was active with Girl and Boy Scouts, Patawa Club of Bangor, a charter member of the Brewer Neighborhood Sewing Group and the fitness class at Hammond Street Senior Center. She also enjoyed family activities and travel in Maine and throughout the United States. In her later years, she very much enjoyed cruising with trips to Alaska, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and Bermuda. She also traveled to Canada, England and several countries in Europe. Her family wishes to express its appreciation to Pastor Mark Allen Doty and the many members of Hammond Street Congregational Church for their love and support. Appreciation is also extended to the staff at My Friend’s Place and the staffs of Westgate Manor and New Hope Hospice for their love and care over a period of many months. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Perham “Perry” L. Amsden of Brewer; two daughters, Deborah and her husband, John Micklos, of Newark, Del., and Rebecca Amsden of Lilburn, Ga.; a son, David Amsden and his wife, Susan, of Atlanta; four grandchildren, Jennifer and Halleigh Amsden, Amy and John Micklos III; a brother, Raymond Seekins and his wife, Norma, of Cumberland Center; a sister, Nancy Dexter of Yarmouth; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Hammond Street Congregational Church, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Doty officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the church vestry immediately after the service. Memorial contributions in her memory may be sent to Hammond Street Congregational Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1106, Bangor, ME 04402 or to New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 757, Holden, ME 04429. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
MARILYN FRANCES (SEEKINS) AMSDEN
