Marianne Nyman Helgesen

MARIANNE NYMAN HELGESEN Marianne Nyman Helgesen, 76, of Wilmington, passed away on Monday, July 15, 2013, at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Marianne was born in Lysekil, Sweden on July 13, 1937. She was the daughter of the late Eric and Wera Johansson Nyman of Gothenburg, Sweden where the family moved to the year after Marianne was born. Marianne grew up and was educated in Gothenburg. She entered the fashion industry and was employed by the nationally known Lapedus Company as an advisor and model traveling throughout Sweden. She became the first Miss Kattegatt Sessa celebrating the event on the inaugural trip of the passenger Vessel Crown Princess Ingrid, with great publicity. Marianne then became Miss Liseburg, of Liseburg Park, the "Tivoli" of Gothenburg. During this time, she had parts in Swedish movie productions. She also found herself featured in periodical advertisements. In 1958, Marianne decided to visit and see the United States for one year. With her charm and beauty, she quickly and successfully established herself in New York City with the Taylor Junior and Joan Leslie ladies fashion companies. Then she became associated with the prestigious Ford Agency in New York City as a top fashion model. She then met her husband, Captain Henry Helgesen, who was then assigned with the US Coast Guard in NYC and they were married in 1959. So Marianne's one year in the U.S. was extended and she got to see much more of the United States than she planned for or expected as she traveled and moved with her husband during their many transfers. In addition they visited Norway and Sweden regularly to visit relations from both sides of the families. They also cruised extensively seeing much of the world. They were married for 54 years. Marianne loved her little pet poodle, irreplaceable Cheri which she enjoyed for some 16 years. She played the violin and the piano enjoying the music greatly. Marianne became a prolific reader in her later years devouring books with great rapidity and enjoyment. A top cook, her cuisine, which was her every day meal serving and setting, was unexcelled. Just being with her was a great treat. Marianne enjoyed and excelled in sports and was an enthusiastic sailor and golfer. She sailboat raced with her husband Henry with the local sailing group WBORA while he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Wilmington Marine Safety Office in the late 60's. An excellent golfer, she was President of the Ladies Golf Association at the Port Arthur Texas Country Club and was also the President of the Ladies Golf Association at the Cape Fear Country Club where she and her husband were members for some 35 years. She enjoyed playing golf with her many friends at the Landfall Country Club where she lived in her later years. She is a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. She is survived by her husband and a sister, Hariett Gjertsson of Gothenburg and nieces and nephews in the United States and in Sweden. A funeral service will be held at 11am, Thursday, July 18, 2013, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Frank H. Chapel of Landfall or the Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com