Marian Bredin, whose bright smile, soft voice with a faint Southern drawl from her childhood, warm demeanor, and beautiful necklaces, was a fixture in Warren County for decades, passed away peacefully on April 30 with her husband George by her side. She was 85 years old. 

A longtime Washington resident and owner of Good Impressions, Marian was one of Warren County’s most successful business women and a true business leader, having been active regionally with the Washington Business Improvement District, the Hackettstown Chamber of Commerce, Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce.

Marian was a huge supporter of several local nonprofits including Abilities of Northwest Jersey, The Arc of Warren County, Norwescap, Hackettstown Community Hospital, and as a devoted member of the Hackettstown Rotary Club for nearly 40 years, she served as Secretary, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and participated in many community service projects such as food drives and cleanups at Camp Merry Heart. Marian served on a host of volunteer committees and boards, too many to list them all here.

Marian was born in New Orleans. Her father’s career as a government employee entailed frequent transfers, so around the age of two, Marian and family moved from Louisiana. She considered Texas to be her home state, as that is where she entered elementary school.

Returning to New Orleans as a high schooler, she then went on to Louisiana State University, where she majored in accounting and upon graduation received a letter from a national organization recognizing her achievements and for attaining the highest possible score in the CPA exam.

Heading back to Houston after graduating from LSU and earning a CPA certificate, Marian was hired by Uncle Ben’s Rice, a Mars affiliate, to work in their data processing department. Five years later, Marian accepted a new position with Mars in Elizabethtown, PA. Although living in Lancaster, she often ran into Jim Kennedy, from the Mars Hackettstown office, at company meetings.  Jim, who passed away in 1993, and Marian eventually married, which brought her to Warren County and ultimately led her to open up Good Impressions.

When she opened Good Impressions Printing and Mailing in 1977, Marian became one of the first female owners of a printing business in the country. She started Good Impressions with Jim’s help, renting a storefront on Main Street in Hackettstown, across from the former site of Knechel Ford. A few years later Marian opened another shop on Main Street in Clinton and 1984 she and Jim purchased the building at 325 West Washington Avenue in Washington, where by 1997 all three locations were consolidated. Good Impressions is now being operated under new owners – Wendy Witner and Bonnie Groff, two longtime employees, at the same location.

Though she specialized in business and accounting, Marian nonetheless was involved in all aspects of print production. In addition to the usual projects at a print shop, as well as bulk mailings, Good Impressions became a leader in publishing newsletters for various organizations starting with ‘The Panther,’ which was distributed to residents of Panther Valley in Allamuchy Township. Several years ago Marian had the opportunity to take over Washington’s monthly community newsletter, The Messenger, which continues to be published today.

As a print business owner, a woman business owner, business leader in general, and supporter of non-profits, Marian has been recognized numerous times for her efforts.

She was a Board Member with the National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP) from 1979 to 1986, receiving their Quick Printer of the Year award in 1986 and Distinctive Service Award in 1995. A founding member of the Washington Borough Business Improvement District (WBID), she served on their Board of Directors since its inception in 2003 for 13 years and earned the organization’s Business Person of the Year award. In 2015, Marian was honored twice. The House of The Good Shepherd presented Marian their Distinguished Friend of The House Award and she was also inducted into the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Warren County Senior Hall of Fame. In 2018, Marian was inducted into the Warren County Hall of Fame. In 2021 Marian was the Grand Marshal of the Washington Celebrates America annual 4th of July parade.  

She met her husband, George Bredin, in the mid-90s, and they married in Riverside, CA in 2004.

Marian enjoyed dining out, attending fundraiser events, being amongst friends and colleagues, and going on sailing vacations with George to the British Virgin Islands and other Caribbean ports.  She was also a certified scuba diver and while living in Houston she had many adventures with the Houston Underwater Club in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. After moving to the Northeast Marian and her son John enjoyed snow skiing in Pennsylvania.  

After over 40 years in the print business and attaining amazing achievements in her life, Marian has “stopped the presses”!

Marian is survived by her husband, George, a sister Pat Laird of Austin, TX, a brother Mike Failor of Houston, son John Charles Marston of Baton Rouge, LA, and niece Suzanne Del Valle of Austin, as well as five stepdaughters, Pat, Kathy, Margaret, Kim and Judy. 

Family and friends may pay their respects on Saturday June 1, 2024 from 12-1 PM at Hawk Pointe Golf Club. 4 Clubhouse Drive. Washington, NJ 07882. A Celebration of life service will be held immediately following at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Marian Bredin’s memory to: Hackettstown Rotary Club, PO BOX 561, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. You can also donate through the club’s website, https://hackettstownrotary.org/.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home.  To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.