Marion Raynor VanTassel

Marion Raynor VanTassel of Westhampton Beach died on Friday, February 13. She was 87.

Ms. VanTassel was born in 1921, the first daughter of Genevieve Halsey Raynor and Clifford Tuttle Raynor. She grew up on Library Avenue along with her sister Dorothy “Dot” Raynor McGonigle, who predeceased her. As teenagers, the pair were often called the “belles of Library Avenue” by some of their male admirers. Ms. VanTassel got her first job at a telephone company located on the same street and she was proud that she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he visited the area.

“It is difficult to sum up Marion’s 87 years, said her daughter, Gretchen VanTassel. “It was a full, interesting life, indeed,” she added.

Ms. VanTassel attended and graduated from the old Westhampton Beach High School. While there, she was an athlete, and played saxophone in the school band. Her favorite subjects were art and English. The family recalled that she had many fond memories of high school including cheering for the boys at sports competitions while wearing her cheerleading uniform, the special dresses she wore to dances, and the night she and others stole the school’s front door. Her father was the school board president at the time, and was none too pleased about the prank, said her daughter.

During the summer months, she enjoyed racing S.S. sailboats against her cousins and friends. She rode horses and spent hours swimming in the ocean, preferring the challenge of rough waters. She also enjoyed taking long walks to Riverhead with her best friend, Toni.

She attended Skidmore College, where she studied art for two years and was on the swim team. Her education was put on hold by marriage and the birth of her three children. Undeterred, she returned to school in her sixties. With highest honors, she graduated from Suffolk Community College with her grandchildren there to witness the event.

Ms. VanTassel also enjoyed biking trips, which began at the age of 55 after she found a bicycle in the woods; when the bicycle went unclaimed at the police station, it became hers. Over the next 30 years, she took biking trips in Canada, Mexico, England, France, Holland, Australia and much of the United States. She won several trophies along the way and received recognition for being the oldest rider of a one-day, 100-mile ride, accomplishing the feat at the age of 67.

As an avid swimmer, she took daily swims from Rogers Beach to Quantuck Beach and back, often worrying lifeguards who were unaware of her skill in the water. According to her daughter, she was a powerful swimmer and was a great body surfer as well, who taught many youngsters the art of catching a wave.

Not having a dog growing up, they became a big part of her life as an adult. Once she had a family of her own, a dog or two was always a part of it. She favored retrievers, setters, and later on “pound” puppies. As recently as last week, she took daily walks with her beloved dog Arlo.

As her maiden name Raynor suggests, Ms. VanTassel had deep family ties to the Westhampton/Westhampton Beach area. According to her daughter, it seemed that every other person in Westhampton was a relative, and often so, sometimes distantly and/or by marriage.

Her deepest ties were to the Tuthill House Museum because of her passion for the history of the Westhampton/Westhampton Beach area. She was a charter member of the Westhampton Beach Historical Society.

Ms. VanTassel was full of knowledge and was proud to be a part of keeping the town’s history alive for future generations to enjoy, said her daughter. She also made appearances on television and radio to talk about historic places and events that took place in the area, including the 1938 hurricane.

“There are so many more stories that could be told,” said Gretchen VanTassel. “Hopefully they will be. Marion was one remarkable lady.”

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by two sons, Richard and Kurt VanTassel; two cousins, Beecher Halsey and his wife Heidi “Jean,” and Doris “Ding” Thilbert; six grandchildren, Rick, Dean, Amy, Andy, Bobbi and Jeff VanTassel; two great-grandchildren; her best friend, Toni Stevens; and many other friends.

A memorial service was held at the Westhampton Presbyterian Church on February 18. Interment was private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Westhampton Beach Historical Society, 115 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978, the Westhampton Presbyterian Church, 90 Meeting House Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or the Kent Animal Shelter, 2259 River Road, Calverton, NY 11933 would be appreciated by the family.