MARILYN (RIDEOUT) WELLMAN

BANGOR – Marilyn E. Wellman died unexpectedly Feb. 28, 2006, at her home, 289 Elm St., Bangor. She was born Dec. 19, 1948, at Stinsen Hospital in Bangor, the daughter of the late Raymond and Glenice (Lowe) Wellman. Marilyn was a high school honor graduate of Leroy H. Smith School, Winterport, Class of 1966. She was a very kind, soft woman and a generous person more concerned about how others treated each other than how she was treated. Her closest friends were Maryanne Lawler, Sharon Theriault, Bobby Rideout and Vick Fournier. After graduation from high school, Marilyn joined an upstart precast concrete company, (now known as American Concrete, Inc.) where she helped build a prosperous business that still services the region today. At the peak of her career she totally loved and enjoyed her job serving contractors. She remained dedicated to that company for 19 years until she was afflicted with bipolar disorder. She eventually lost her job due to the severity of her illness. Back in those days, mental illness was almost taboo and not talked about, viewed as a personal weakness and was not even accepted as a medical illness. The loss of her job and the shame she felt by being labeled with this illness strongly defined the remaining years of her life. She still had many good moments and friends and family around her did all they could do. She was the greatest mother that a son could have ever asked for. She was selfless in every sense of the word. She raised a son that she instilled with kindness, intelligence and work ethic. She constantly worried about the health and success of her son and his family. She lived in the same apartment building with her son’s family for three years which allowed for better care and attention to Marilyn’s health. As the saying goes “The mother is a school, if she is well reared you are sure to build a nation.” Raymond and Glenice Wellman raised Marilyn right. Her son will miss his mother everyday for the rest of his life. Although they legally divorced in 1991, her husband, Ron, always kept in close contact with Marilyn and more frequently when she was dealing with the depression side of her illness. They were always there for each other and their true love for each other never stopped. The best time in Ron’s life was when they were together. The worst time in his life was when they were apart. She is survived by her only child, Ron Rideout and his wife, Paula, who became like a daughter to her; her husband, Ron; two sisters; a brother; and many nieces and nephews, including Michael and Nathan Adams and Kelly and Sarah Wellman. Of special closeness, included her niece, Jill, her husband, Tim Hathaway and their children, Maggie and Caleb. She also was very close to Jodi and Mark Lewis. Jodi and Mark were of great importance to Marilyn, “Nair” as they called her. In many respects, Nair extended her selfless motherly love to their family. Jodi, Mark and Jill’s family spent quality time with Nair and greatly enhanced her life. Her imprint to the Wellman and Rideout family and friends around her goes beyond the specific people listed here and no one should feel left out. She was a very good woman who was too nice for her own good. All of Marilyn’s nieces and nephews were very important to her. Her surviving siblings include, Evelyn Adams, Sharon Wellman, mother of Jill and Jodi and Galen Wellman. Nair was especially close to her younger sister, Sharon. As two sisters, their bond was impenetrable. As an entire family of siblings they remained as close as possible. Marilyn would have wanted to contribute to a system that improved the lives of those with bipolar disorder. At this time, Marilyn nor her family would be able to point to any organization known to satisfactorily improve the lives of other people, family and friends afflicted with this illness. We have decided to create our own foundation called The Imprint Foundation www.theimprintfoundation.org to accept donations in her memory to adequately study the current system and determine where funds will be best spent to have the greatest impact and benefit the most people. The system as it exists today is a seriously flawed health and social care system that is inadequately treating bipolar disorder as well as other brain disorders. Marilyn had much joy in her life and was surrounded by family and friends that loved her very much. To Marilyn, family and friends were everything and she exemplified what being a “mother” is. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Friday, March 10, with the Rev. Dr. Rex H. Garrett, director of chaplaincy services of Eastern Maine Medical Center, officiating.