- Date Of Birth: July 1, 1925
- Date Of Death: September 17, 2019
- State: Colorado
Marie Winship, a long time Douglas County resident, passed away on September 17, 2019 at Porter Hospice in Centennial. She was 94 years old. Marie was predeceased by her husband, William Winship, and is survived by her children, Kris Winship, Richard Winship, Cy (John Strauss) Winship and Monica (Jon) Grannis and her two grandchildren, Alex Grannis and Emma Grannis.
Marie was born Marie Elisabeth “Lissi” Voigt in Kassel, Germany. As a teenager during WWII, her home was destroyed and her family separated. After the war she was able to take advantage of her education in English by working as a translator for the American Army, where she met her husband, Bill, and subsequently moved to the US.
As a child she played the flute and dreamed of studying music, a passion she would have pursued if not for the war. In addition to a love of classical music, Marie was an avid reader and also enjoyed gardening, watercolor painting and writing. Always interested in education and learning, she would take the time to review her children’s homework, even at the end of a long day, providing editing and input as needed.
Marie had a long time love for horses and passed that passion along to her family. She was dedicated to taking her kids to horse shows and became very involved in
4-H and the Parker Trail Riders horse club. To help with the expenses of the horse activities, she took a part time job at a nearby greenhouse, working in the early morning hours.
After her children left home she wanted “something to do” so she began working in the Douglas County School District as a teacher’s aide in Science and English and tutoring German students. It was in this career that she endeared herself to many and forged friendships that lasted throughout the rest of her life.
Affectionately known as “Frau” to her children and many friends (her car license plate was “FRAU1”), she had a sharp, clever wit and enjoyed playing with words and making puns. Marie was a great animal lover and taught her family that an animal’s needs always come first-she could not abide a dry water dish or a late meal for a pet. Until her later years when her visual impairment and mobility became too limiting, she very much enjoyed her daily walks (or “airing out” as she would call it). Marie was an avid Broncos and Rockies fan, so much so that people knew not to call the house during a game.
