SIMONSON, MARION ELIZABETH - Marion Elizabeth Simonson, a longtime resident of Tappahannock and a retired artist, died Friday, September 17, 2004. Born and educated in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Marion Eloise (Smith) Simonson and Simeon Carlton Simonson. She was raised in White Plains and commuted to New York City for art training. While in New York, she received her training at the Grand Central Art School, the Art Student’s League and the National Academy Art School. Ms. Simonson had a distinguished career in art and was a well-known portrait painter. For a period of time, she was associated with Portraits, Incorporated. She maintained a studio in New York City until moving to Virginia in 1955, where she continued to paint in her Tappahannock River studio. Her portraits were on exhibit in private and public collections throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and countries in Europe and the Middle East. While working with Portraits, Inc., her specialty was painting judges of the judiciary for display in courtrooms, university law schools and art museums. Ms. Simonson was a member of the Rappahannock Art League, The National Association of Women Artists and a life member of The Art Students’ League. Being interested in her ancestry, she researched and authored two books about her family and co-authored "The Smiths of Oakland", a genealogical study of her mother’s side of her family. Surviving are Benjamin Whitfield Sublett of Birmingham, AL; her cousin and close friend of many yeas and many other relatives from both sides of her family. Also, she will be missed by her many friends from the New York and Tappahannock Areas. Graveside Services will be held at Ivy Hill Cemetery, Smithfield, VA at 2 pm, Wednesday, September 22, 2004. Colonial Funeral Home of Smithfield is in charge of arrangements.

Published: Tuesday, September 21st, 2004