Marion Brien of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of New Hope and Fairless Hills, PA died quietly in her sleep on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. She was 89 years old.
Born in Patterson, NJ, she was the devoted daughter of the late August J. and Rosa Hegeler. Marion was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert H. Brien who passed one year earlier and her sister Anna and brother-in-law Harold Bush.
Marion grew up in Patterson, NJ with parents that struggled to make ends meet. This situation shaped her personality and fueled her dream of creating a better life for herself and her family.
As a first-year student at Patterson High School, she was inspired by three like-minded friends and her physical education teachers to get a college education. Knowing her family would not be able to pay for her schooling, Marion worked several jobs during the next 4 summers to save money for college.
After Marion graduated from high school, she attended New Jersey State Teachers College at Trenton a.k.a. The College of New Jersey. She majored in physical education. It was there she met her husband, Bob. He fell head over heels for Marion as he recognized her as a rare, beautiful, independent, progressive woman. She was smart, thoughtful, talented, and unwilling to let her life situation prevent her from creating what she wanted out of life. She always did what she needed to make things happen. Bob had never met anyone like her with such drive and so … three years later he proposed to her, and they were married the summer following their junior year of college.
At only 21 years old, Bob and Marion bought a mobile home park and sales. It was at that moment that their life trajectory was changed, and Brien’s Trailer Sales was born. This was very scary for Marion and quite risky. But together, they worked additional jobs to make ends meet, as well as running their newfound business. Marion learned to be business savvy and was part of the rise of a new generation of female professionals. She propelled herself into the RV Business, exposing herself to a previously male-dominated profession. It was difficult for her at first, but eventually she earned respect within the RV Industry, and she thrived. Brien’s Trailer Sales grew into a successful RV business and was their livelihood for over 42 years.
Marion was accomplished at about anything she set her mind on doing. Racquetball, Archery, knitting, sewing just to name a few. She made and designed four wedding dresses including her own. She created the most astounding Halloween costumes for her daughters and grandchildren. Marion also made most of her daughters’ clothes while growing up and even their Barbie™ doll clothes. Then continued to sew for her grandchildren.
Her childhood was not magical nor rich with adventure, so she has always tried to create that magic for other young kids. It has been said over and over, “Spending time at Uncle Bob and Aunt Marion’s house were the best memories of my childhood.” She was a great host and had the best parties. Marion had a resource of unusual games we would play, always catering to her guests’ ages. The Adults loved her games too.
She had an adventurous spirit and was always planning these outrageous trips for her family. Hot air ballooning over the Serengeti in Africa, camel rides and touring the pyramids in Egypt, helicopter rides over the glaciers in Alaska and regular trips to Disney World. In her 70’s she was the one who introduced the family to Zip-Lining in the Caribbean.
Marion was full of energy and never stopped go-go-going. She loved to ski, both downhill and cross country. After a few years of driving to Vermont with a travel trailer to ski the slopes, Bob and Marion bought a home in Vermont where they could entertain friends and family. Marion dazzled her guests by fixing a fabulous breakfast before they hit the slopes and then was able to ski all day and come home to whip up appetizers, dinner, and a homemade dessert, while everyone else was exhausted.
She was a whiz in the kitchen creating amazing meals like Beef Wellington, Prime Rib and so many other signature meals. And no one could forget Marion’s homemade desserts. They were so memorable, from her decadent cheesecake and fresh coconut cake to her chocolate chip cookies and brownies with icing. Everyone had their own personal favorite but loved them all!
She is survived by her two daughters, Renee Barnes, her husband Mark and Dawn B. Dwyer and her husband Matt; three grandchildren, Donald Jason Kerr, his wife Kait, Wesley B. Kerr, Erin A. Christy and her husband Brian; and five great-grandchildren; Hunter and Kurt, Theo, Lilly and Addison and her beloved dog Gretchen.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend “Marion’s Celebration of Life” to be held in the New Hope, PA area, July 2024. If you would like to attend, please contact the family so we will be sure to send you an invitation with the official time and place so you can RSVP.
Vermont was Marion’s favorite place to be. As a family it was a tradition to celebrate Christmas through New Years in Vermont. Every year we would go out into the woods on our property and hunt for the perfect tree. Sometimes it would be an all-day adventure. Our Vermont Christmas trees were always guaranteed to reach the vaulted ceiling, but they were also known be a bit sparse. So, Marion decided to solve that problem by planting a whole hillside of future Christmas trees with space for them to grow full and thick. The hillside was right outside the front door in VT and Marion’s Evergreens eventually grew into beautiful full future Christmas trees.
The Evergreen trees were synonymous with Vermont. So, Marion brought some Vermont saplings home to plant in the backyard to have a little piece of Vermont at their PA home.
In lieu of flowers, please plant an Evergreen tree in Marion Brien’s honor and share a photo of it and/or a photo of a favorite memory with her at: evergreen4marion@yahoo.com.
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