KENNEBUNKPORT — The Honorable Marilyn E. Stavros, 76, a resident of Kennebunkport and active retired judge with the Maine District Court, died suddenly Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford.
Marilyn was born May 6, 1939 in Manch-ester, New Hampshire, the daughter of Archie and Marion (Smith) Hoffman, and attended schools in New Hampshire.
She was a graduate of Simmons College in 1961 with her bachelor’s degree in biology. Upon graduation, she taught at Simmons and later in her life graduated from the University of Maine School of Law with a JD in 1980.
Marilyn was admitted to the bar in 1980 and began her career, opening her firm with two partners in Kennebunkport, specializing in family law, which was her passion.
Later, Marilyn joined the Attorney General’s office as an assistant attorney general. She went on to become a family magistrate, serving several years before she was appointed to the bench in 2005 by Governor John Baldacci, retiring in 2009.
She continued to serve as an active retired judge, sitting on the bench when needed. In 2014, she was honored by several judges for her service, and was recognized as being the first female judge to have her portrait displayed inside a Maine courtroom. Her appointment was set to run until 2016.
Marilyn was a member of the South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport, Maine Bar Association and Southern Poverty Law Center. She served her community as registrar of voters, volunteered at Consolidated School in Kennebunkport and helped start the soccer program with the Kennebunkport Recreation department.
Marilyn is survived by: her husband of 52 years, Dino Stavros of Kennebunkport; three sons, Peter Stavros and his wife Jamie of Tacoma Washington, Michael Stavros of Freeport, and Jonathan Stavros and his wife Amy of Davison, Michigan; five grandchildren, Niko, Dino, Margaret, Charlie and Cy; a brother, David Hoffman of Mesa, Arizona and a sister, Janet Hopkins of Manchester, New Hampshire.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at South Congregational Church, 1 North St. Kennebunkport, with Reverend Charles Whiston officiating.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330 or to Safe Haven, P.O. Box 91, Wells, ME, 04090.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043, www.bibberfuneral.com.
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