Marian Hislop, 1916-2011

Marian Hislop, a philanthropist whose contribution was crucial in getting the Door Community Auditorium built, died Nov. 30. She was 95.

A lover of theatre and music, Hislop was a quiet contributor to many Door County organizations, perhaps none more important than the auditorium.

Marian Hislop and George Larsen, two of the most important people in getting the Door Community Auditorium built, photographed at a performance of Love Letters at the Door Community Auditorium in 1991.

In 1986 Anne (Haberland) Emerson was part of a fledgling group working to build a performing arts center in northern Door County. It was Hislop, with her sister Laurie Nowack, who walked into Emerson’s Edgewood Orchard Galleries in 1986 and stunned her with an offer that would revitalize a stalled effort.

After some small talk, Laurie told her sister to tell Emerson exactly what they were willing to do to help build an auditorium. Emerson wasn’t prepared for what they said next.

“We’d each like to give $500,000 to the auditorium,” Hislop told her.

Emerson’s knees quivered as she tried to grasp what she heard. Later, she called Hislop to clarify.

“Did you say $50,000 or $500,000?” she asked in embarrassment. Hislop spoke slowly into the phone. “We would each like to give you $500,000. That’s $1 million, dear.”

Emerson said that changed the course of the fundraising effort.

“That was the point when it became something that really could happen,” she said. “Until then it was just talking and dreaming.”

The sisters wanted their gift to remain anonymous, but when doubts about the validity of the pledge arose, the sisters offered to come forward if it would help get the project done.

“After they gave the money they never tried to dictate how it was run,” Emerson said. “They trusted the people to run it, and supported it ever since.”

Just days before she passed, Hislop made a point of attending the holiday performance of All Is Calm with her family on Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Door Community Auditorium, more than 25 years after she and her sister made the pledge that would make the building a reality.

Hislop was born Oct. 21, 1916 in Green Bay, the daughter of Emil and Hester Hansen. She married George Hislop (d. 1986) on June 13, 1942.

She lived most of her life in Racine before retiring to her home on Bay Shore Drive in Sturgeon Bay. In 2007 she was named the Door County Community Foundation’s Philanthropist of the Year.

She was preceded in death by George, daughter Joan, sister Laurie Hansen Nowack, and her brother Dr. Robert Hansen. Marian is survived by her daughters Barbara Board (husband Richard Board) and Margaret West (husband Dale West), her grandchildren Kimberly Smith (husband Aaron Smith) and Karsten Board (swinging bachelor), and her great-granddaughter Cora Leigh Smith, and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:30 am at Bjorklunden in Baileys Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 17, with Rev. Phillips Sweet and Rev. Alex Hansen (nephew) officiating. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of Marian. Huehns Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.