You never know what you’ll find at the ShareNet Thrift Store, which supports our food bank and other assistance services. One of ShareNet Thrift Store’s most interesting customers is a lady named Marilyn, who prefers her last name not be mentioned, though she is known around North Kitsap for her interesting hobby.

Marilyn has a mannequin on display in her home named Madaline, and our thrift store helps keep her in style from whatever era her owner chooses. Madaline was manufactured in 1978.  Marilyn only knows that because there’s a label where Madaline comes apart at the waist.

Marilyn’s friend found the mannequin years ago in Eugene, Ore. There were 10 of them available, but only one had glass eyes.  Madaline was rescued and has been part of Marilyn’s family ever since. It started out with Madaline wearing a maid’s outfit at parties and holidays, holding a silver tray offering drinks or hors d’oeuvres to guests. She was accompanied in these efforts by a life-sized poster of a butler.

Then she moved into the living room, becoming a more or less permanent fixture there. Marilyn remembers her son and his friends when they were clustered at the mannequin’s feet, looking up at her, fascinated and wondering why she didn’t move. Eventually she began acquiring more lifelike traits. Marilyn’s sister-in-law did a voicemail recording of Madaline’s “voice.” Marilyn sent out vintage postcards to friends, signed by Madaline.  A persona was created.

Marilyn has always enjoyed this kind of outsized, over-the-top celebration. She once threw a birthday party for her son with a pirate theme, to the extent of burying a treasure chest in the woods, and creating a map so the kids could find it. Marilyn recalls the fire department having to come to her house once, and the firefighters doing a slow, amazed turn when they realized the presence of the mannequin.

Madaline is usually dressed in a theme scenario, whether she’s been skiing, to an atomic site in Nevada, or a presidential inauguration. Marilyn utilizes hats, dresses, ball gowns, accessories, wigs, anything that will create a theme, and that’s where ShareNet comes in.  When ShareNet Thrift Store opened its doors, Marilyn was thrilled to have a new local source for great clothing options. Her favorite ShareNet find for Madaline so far has been a ’70s wedding dress of ivory satin in great condition for a June bride theme.

Madaline has had some mannequin company over the years: Victoria, a partial mannequin now retired, and Tulla, who was found in a dumpster by Seattle’s old Bon Marche department store.

Marilyn’s collecting extends beyond all of Madaline’s requirements. She also has a bowling ball garden, and her tastes tend toward the whimsical and the extravagant, but at bargain prices. Another great find at ShareNet Thrift Store was a Baccarat crystal starfish — reasonably priced, of course.

When discussing the distant future for the mannequin, Marilyn said to her son, “Well, she is your sister,” at which he, now an adult, rolled his eyes. But at least we know as long as Madaline is around, she’ll be fashionably clothed with help from ShareNet Thrift Store.