Marilyn Conover

Artist Marilyn Conover, died on Sunday morning, June 15, 2014 at the Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Gloucester. Born in suburban Chicago, Illinois on October 1, 1925, Marilyn was the daughter of the late Helen and William D. Sawler of Oak Park, Illinois and Gloucester, MA. She attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago and began her career there as WWII ended. In 1946 she married a fellow art student and marine veteran. Within five years she had her two beloved children, Hendrick Todd and Marilyn Susan. In 1958 the family moved to the East Coast, eventually settling in Westport, Connecticut. Marilyn was an advertising and editorial illustrator and portrait painter, primarily in New York City for most of her professional career. Her paintings have appeared on the covers of Time Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Parents Magazine and in numerous national ad campaigns. Her portraits hang in universities, corporations and private collections across the country. Marilyn moved to Rockport in 1976 and received the Gold Medal Award for her work from the Rockport Art Association in 1981. She also won the Stanley Phillips Memorial Award in 1984 and later the Everett L. Swift Award. Between 1990 and 1994 Marilyn wrote, illustrated and published her book, "Hannah Jumper, A Legend of the New England Seacoast", and continued to draw, paint, write and explore for the rest of her life. She is survived by her son, Hendrick Todd Conover of Rockport; her daughter, Marilyn Susan of Florida and many nieces and nephews. Marilyn was predeceased by two sisters, Helen Aarts and Lorraine Bacon. At her request, there will be no funeral and a private remembrance will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are by the Burgess and Mackey Funeral Home, 201 Main St., Rockport.