Marion E. Kinsman

Marion E. Kinsman, 74, a recognized tole painter and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, died August 3 in Harborside/Glen Hill nursing home in Danbury after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, G. Joy and P. Douglass Martin of Newtown.

Mrs Kinsman was a longtime resident of Bridgeport who moved to Bethel in 1997, following her husband's death.

Mrs Kinsman was born in Bridgeport on Christmas Day, 1925, the elder of two daughters of Dr William C. and Emily (Dale) Lindholm. She attended Bridgeport schools and graduated from Bassick High School and the Junior College of Connecticut, now the University of Bridgeport. While at Bassick, she met her future husband, Everett E. Kinsman; their classmates recognized them as "best looking."€ The couple married in 1948 after Mr Kinsman's wartime service in the US Navy. They were married for 49 years and had five children.

While Mrs Kinsman devoted herself to raising her children, she worked as a medical secretary and at the former City Trust Bank and Newtown Town Hall. She also worked at a series of daily and weekly newspapers in Fairfield County, ending with 11 years at the Post Publishing Company as a compositor, supervisor, and classified advertising manager.

In her later years, her hobby of hand painting woodenware became her vocation. Her work was recognized at a number of juried craft shows. Mrs Kinsman loved music and dancing. She was an avid reader, devotee of The New York Times crossword puzzle, and a wonderful cook, who always welcomed family and friends to her home.

She was a member of United Congregational Church, the Crafter’s Guild of Connecticut, and a former member of the International Typographical Union.

She is also survived by five children, William E. and Regina Kinsman and Leslie and Richard Farrell of Huntington, Susan E. Kinsman and Alan N. Ponanski of East Haddam, Douglas E. and Debra Kinsman of Stratford, and Kenneth D. and Michelle Kinsman of Bethel; 12 grandchildren, Sarah, Keith, Megan, Nichole, Douglas, Daniel, Nicholas, Nathaniel, Rachel, and Melissa Kinsman and Alison and Maureen Farrell; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs Kinsman was pre-deceased by her husband, a retired Bridgeport police officer, and her parents.

The funeral was held August 5 in United Congregational Church, Park and State Streets in Bridgeport. Interment was in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield.

The Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial gifts in her name for research may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation Inc. 1501 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136.

The Newtown Bee August 11, 2000