Marianne Carlson
December 8, 1953 ~ November 10, 2023
Marianne (Pierce) Carlson, 69, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2023, surrounded by her three loving children and many visits from friends and family.
Born on December 8, 1953, to George and Ruth (Maguire) Pierce, Marianne's journey began in Danvers, a town that shaped her early years and where she graduated from Danvers High School in 1972. She went on to North Shore Community College where she earned her paralegal degree.
A Salem resident for twenty years, it was here that she raised her family, weaving a tapestry of love and care that would be her greatest legacy. Her devotion to animals spoke volumes of her compassionate spirit, and her grandchildren - Drew, Haley, Jack, and Thomas - were the apples of her eye, each moment with them a cherished memory.
Her love for travel knew no bounds. She reveled in the joys of cruising, with the tropical allure of Hawaii and Aruba calling to her adventurous spirit. Disney World and Cape Cod were among her favorite destinations, places where the magic of imagination met the tranquility of nature.
Marianne’s life was a symphony of love and dedication. She was a beacon of support, taking immense pride in her daughter's competitive spirit and her sons’ musical talents.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and fond memories in the hearts of her children: Shaun Carlson and his wife Jill of Danvers, Kendra Carlson of Lynn, and Justin Carlson and his wife Stephanie of Chelmsford, and her siblings Philip Pierce of Wells, Maine, George Pierce of Fairview, Tennessee, and Edward Pierce of Kennebunk, Maine.
She was predeceased by her siblings Jane Gradzewicz and Peter Pierce.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Relatives and friends are invited. All other services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marianne’s memory may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. To share an expression of sympathy with her family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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My fondest memory of Marianne was on a white water rafting trip with her when she fell overboard didn’t seem like it ruffled her feathers at all and I’ll never forget it Marianne was the funniest person to be with and really loved her grandchildren .always talked about her grandchildren I will miss her deeply she was a fun person to be with
I met Marianne when we were 19 years old. We were roommates at Weaver Airlines school in Kansas City. She was a whoot and of course she made fun of my Texas accent. I visited her in Salem and she showed me all the sights and historical places from Salem to Maine to Boston to Cape Cod. When she came to Texas, I thought I had to show her “Texas”. We went to Southfork Ranch, Nasa in Houston, Galveston, San Antonio to see the Alamo, and Austin. After we got back she asked me how many miles we had driven in those 4 days? I told her 900 . She said “and we never left the state?!”. I showed her the map before we left and she said but our map was the same size! Marianne was so fun. She surprised me on my 40th birthday and celebrated my 50. She loved our Armadillos and tumbleweeds. We shared some wonderful times together and I will miss hearing her say “Linda Kay Worthey”. Loved her! Prayers of comfort for her beautiful family!
It was in the summer for the kids birthday parties that we would see Marianne. She will be missed. We are so sorry for your loss. Del and Susan Normand
It’s been a long time but I still remember like it was yesterday…..I spent most of my teen years honing my guitar playing, jammin’ and rockin’ out and listening to music, all at high decibels in/on the third floor of her house in Salem. Marianne didn’t mind one bit.
I was basically a member of the family and I can say she always displayed humor and kindness…..Especially when her sons and I (as the “adopted” son) would venture down to the second floor to raid her refrigerator.
Godspeed, Marianne!
Sorry for your loss Shaun, Kendra, Justin and family.
~Skelley