BRUNSWICK — Marilyn Ring Blackburn, 81, died April 13 at her home in Brunswick with family at her side.
She was born on Jan. 26, 1928, in Lynn, Mass., a daughter of Dr. Frank and Harriet Palmer Ring.
After graduating from Swampscott High School in 1945, she attended Boston University, graduating in 1949 with a degree in physical therapy.
She married Dr. Nelson Blackburn in 1953 and together they moved to Maine, settling in Brunswick in 1963.
While she enjoyed some solitary pastimes, including sewing and knitting, most of her lifelong pursuits involved her competitive nature.
She was an accomplished athlete and excelled at numerous sports, including field hockey, skiing, tennis and golf. In the early 80s, she began to focus on golf, becoming a challenger for the Women’s Club Championship at clubs in Maine and Florida. She was the Club Champion at Brunswick in 1986, 1994 and 1996 and the Senior Women’s Club Champion in 1993 and 1995-1997. She was awarded the Mel Strange Award in 1992 and 1996. Over her lifetime, she achieved five hole-in-ones and in January of this year, she shot her age, 81.
She is survived by her husband Dr. Nelson Blackburn of Brunswick; two sons, Scott Blackburn and his wife Barbara Shipley Blackburn of Adelaide, Australia, David Blackburn and his wife Sue Brawn Blackburn of Brunswick, a daughter, Gail Blackburn of Melvin Village, N.H.; a sister, Virginia Carmichael of Dennis, Mass.; five grandchildren Heather Blackburn of Marietta , Ga., Christin Oram of Melvin Village, N.H., Katie Oram of Melvin Village, N.H., Julia Shipley of Bridport, Vt. and Lily Shipley of Brunswick.
A memorial service will be announced for July.
Arrangements are by Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Joanne’s House Hospice In Bonita Springs, 27200 Imperial St., Bonita Springs, FL 34135 or Chans Home Health Care, 60 Baribeau Dr., Brunswick, ME 04011-3218, or Hospice Volunteers of Mid Coast Maine, 45 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Condolences can be expressed at brackettfuneralhome.com.
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