Plymouth, NH – Marilyn (Barden) Wixson, of Plymouth, N.H., died peacefully Monday, April 6, 2026, on the third anniversary of the passing of her beloved husband, Eldwin “Ed” Wixson. The last few weeks of her life were gratefully spent in the loving company of her cherished family and friends.
Marilyn was born in Providence, Rhode Island, July 6, 1944, the daughter of John W. Barden and Hazel (Dean) Barden. She grew up in North Scituate R.I. on the Barden Family Orchard, a popular local pick-your-own apple orchard she was proud to call home. In addition to her loving parents, Marilyn was raised with two caring brothers, John A. Barden, and the late Gilbert Barden, Sr. She always enjoyed a closeness with her Rhode Island family and treasured a special bond with her brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout her life.
Marilyn graduated from Ponaganset High School in Gloucester, R.I. in 1962. She attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and graduated with a BA in Philosophy in 1966. She studied abroad her junior year of college at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. She received her Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH in 1973.
After graduating from Bates College, Marilyn decided to relocate to New Hampshire “for two years” in order to ski. She accepted her first teaching position at Holderness Central School (HCS), where she formed many friendships that she valued for the rest of her life. After HCS, Marilyn taught Mathematics at Plymouth State College (now University), where she made many more lifelong friends. These and other bonds soon revealed to Marilyn that New Hampshire would not be a temporary residence, but rather her permanent home.
While at Plymouth State, Marilyn met her husband Ed. They bonded over their shared love of mathematics education and playing bridge. Marilyn and Ed were married on July 31, 1976, in Greenville, R.I. They had two children, Jonathan and Jessica. By far Marilyn’s biggest love was her family, especially her beloved husband of 47 years, her “Cookee” (Ed’s nickname for her was “Kid”), and their shared children and later, grandchildren. “Cookee and Kid” loved to walk, and until Ed’s passing three years ago could often be seen strolling around Plymouth holding hands.
Marilyn also had a lifelong love of travel and adventure that led her to explore the world from the Highlands of Scotland to the vineyards of Italy, from the AMC huts and ski slopes of the White Mountains to perhaps her favorite destination, the fjords of New Zealand. She inspired her love of adventure in her family and took them across the country and around the world. In her “younger years” she loved riding her motorcycle and even went skydiving with her son Jon on her 60th birthday.
In addition to adventure, Marilyn had the innate ability to cherish the “small moments” in life: from playing cards and sharing walks around town with those she loved, to baking cookies and hosting family dinners, to singing along with her favorite songs and reciting a favorite quote that reminded her of you.
Marilyn was part of a beautiful community in Plymouth where she had many close friends and neighbors whom she cherished deeply. She could regularly be found walking around town or lunching with friends. Her love of bridge was regularly on display in both recreational and competitive games. When not with her friends, Marilyn enjoyed baking cookies with her grandchildren and rooting for them at the sidelines of their sporting events. She was also an avid volunteer with organizations as diverse as the the Pemi-Baker Literacy Task Force, GED program, Pemi-Baker Hospice, Plymouth Parks and Recreation, GotLunch Plymouth, and Meals on Wheels. She was an active member of the Plymouth Congregational Church (PCC) and embraced the loving congregation inside and outside of the church.
Marilyn is predeceased by her beloved husband Ed, parents John W. and Hazel Barden, brother Gilbert Barden, Sr. and nephew Gilbert Barden, Jr.
She is survived by her brother John A. Barden and wife Vicky of Blacksburg, VA; her children son Jonathan Wixson and wife Christin of Ashland, NH and daughter Jessica Wixson Shaw and husband Sky Shaw of Plymouth NH, and grandchildren Wyeth, Isaac, and Marsden; by Ed’s children Cheryl Wixson and husband Phillip McFarland of Stonington ME, Jennifer Wixson and husband Stanley Luce of Troy ME, William Wixson and wife Robin of Belmont NH, Wesley Wixson and wife Lori of Bow NH, and Ed’s nine grandchildren and Ed’s many great grandchildren; by her nieces Cynthia Barden of VA and Carolyn Bishop of RI and her nephews John M. Barden of IN and Charles Barden of CT.
Marilyn loved to host parties and celebrate with the people she loved: from “Sunday Nighters” group with the PCC, to annual extended-family gatherings, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, game nights, book groups, and all the moments in-between.
Please join us in celebrating Marilyn’s beautiful life Saturday April 25, 2026:
Celebration of Life Services – Plymouth Congregational Church 3:30PM
Plymouth Congregational Church UCC
4 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH
https://youtube.com/@churchoffice9870?si=MEevnaycSghNva7D
Celebration of Life Party – Foster’s Hall 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Foster’s Hall (event space) at the Common Man Inn
231 Main Street, Plymouth, NH
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Lakes Region Hospice (lrvna.org) or Plymouth Congregational Church (uccplymouth.org).
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