Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum Mourns the Loss of Founder, John L. Marion
Mr. Marion founded the Museum with his late wife, Anne Marion, in 1997.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 鈥� May 18, 2026 (Santa Fe, NM) 鈥� The Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum has lost a founder, friend, and champion of the arts with the passing of John L. Marion. Mr. Marion and his wife, Anne, founded the Museum in 1997, where John served as a member of the Board of Trustees for many years until being named an Emeritus Trustee in 2021. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, former auctioneer, president and chairman of Sotheby鈥檚, author, and generous philanthropist, Mr. Marion鈥檚 impact spans the country鈥攆rom Santa Fe, where he was instrumental in negotiations with the local government to open the Museum, to Fordham University, where he was an alumnus and the namesake for The John L. Marion Chair in Art History, Painting, and Sculpture.
鈥淓veryone at the Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum is saddened by the loss of John, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,鈥� says Cody Hartley, Director of the Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum. 鈥淲e could not have asked for better founders than John and Anne Marion.鈥�
With John and Anne Marion鈥檚 support, the Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum was formed and continues to thrive, inspiring global audiences with the art, life, and spirit of Georgia O鈥橩eeffe. The New O鈥橩eeffe will be the cornerstone of the Burnett Campus, named according to John and Anne鈥檚 wishes for Anne鈥檚 family. The Museum is grateful for John Marion鈥檚 generosity and vision.
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For media inquiries, contact:
Renee Lucero, Public Relations Manager, Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum
505-946-1063
rlucero@gokm.org
ABOUT THE GEORGIA O鈥橩EEFFE MUSEUM: Since 1997, the Georgia O鈥橩eeffe Museum has shared the art, life, and story of Georgia O鈥橩eeffe with visitors from around the world. Located in New Mexico, where Georgia O鈥橩eeffe lived the final decades of her life, the O鈥橩eeffe has sites and experiences in two historic destinations, Santa Fe and Abiqui煤. For more information, please visit gokm.org
