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Life story

"On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 87-year-old Marilyn Lou Brickell passed away in Stafford County, Virginia.
Born Marilyn Lou Helmsing on March 15, 1937, to Harold and Ruth Helmsing in Wayne County, Indiana. Marilyn grew up in Milton Indiana and graduated from Milton School in 1955.
She married Larry Eugene Hofmann in 1956 and globe trotted the world as a military wife, all while raising five children.
Later as a single mom living in Chester, Virginia she began a successful two job career working for the Chesterfield County School System and the Richmond Times Dispatch. This time in her life was highlighted by a close family and a dear friendship.
Marilyn married Russell Lee Brickell in 1995 and she retired from the School System in 2000. They enjoyed their retirement years at their home with Daisy the Chihuahua and several ‘feline friends’.
She spent her final years in Stafford, Virginia loved by her neighbor family and supported by her friends at the Witness Hall.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Harold Bryant, her husband Russell and her son Stanley.
She is survived by her children Steve (Karan) Hofmann, Sandy (Keith) Graham, Scott (Becky) Hofmann and Sharon (Edwin) Pardue; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Culbertson and her family. Marilyn includes her first husband’s stepchildren Mark and Alison and Russell’s children Rodney and Angela as part of her family.
Along with her deep devotion she loved baseball, car racing and classic country music. Per her wishes her ashes will be scattered in her beloved James River.
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