West Lebanon, NH -- Marie Willis was born on March 26th, 1922 to Amelia and George Grunbeck in Stamford, Connecticut. She briefly attended the University of Connecticut and then worked for Yale and Towne Lock Company to help support her family before joining the US Navy WAVES in June of 1943.
Marie met her husband, Jack Willis (US Army Air Corps), while attending courses for the military in Iowa, and they married soon after on September 7th 1946.
Jack and Marie had two children, Kathleen Webster of Weymouth, MA and Mike Willis of Hartland, VT.
Marie spent her early years raising her family in New Rochelle where her husband Jack was a funeral director. Marie was a gregarious, charismatic and independent woman who enjoyed bringing up her children and being surrounded by her many friends and family members. As her children grew, Marie enjoyed spending weekends and vacations hosting her children and grandchildren at their log cabin in Andes, NY. She also enjoyed venturing to Maine and Vermont for summers spent eating lobster and watching the children swim in the frigid ocean on Vinalhaven, ME and hiking, fishing and farming in Woodstock, VT.
After Marie's husband, Jack, passed away in March of 1999, Marie moved to Woodstock, Vermont to be closer to her son and his family. It was here that Marie created a new community of cherished and long-lasting friendships. Marie was an active member of the Thompson Senior Center, St. Anne's Club and American Legion. She was a long time communicant at Our Lady of the Snows where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She moved to Quail Hollow in West Lebanon where she spent the remaining years of her life surrounded by a devoted and loving group of new friends. She was kind and generous and enjoyed giving back to the community, while socializing with her friends. Marie marched proudly in many parades and was a patriotic lady, proud of the service she provided for her country. She was also progressive. Having lived through the Great Depression, WWII and our most recent COVID pandemic, Marie was a strong and independent woman. She was always enlightened by a conversation with a differing viewpoint and had an open-minded approach. Marie was hip with the times, always wearing her best and priding herself in her style. She was never one to miss a party or event and always came with a beautiful smile, laughter and her clever wit.
Marie will be long remembered for her loving devotion to her family and friends, compassion towards others and the energy and positive attitude she brought to life. She lived every moment up until her death with purpose, independence and pride. She was determined to make it to her 99th Birthday to celebrate amongst family and friends at The 99 Restaurant, and that she did.
Marie passed away on the morning of April 8th, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones listening to the same song, "Time To Say Goodbye." that Jack heard on his passing. Her last words being, "How wonderful", truly encompass her outlook on life. Found amongst her things, was a hand-written quote, "Three things we need: someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to." Marie was a hero amongst us and we will all continue to learn from the lessons she taught us while here on earth as she shines her bright light on us and guides us from up above.
Marie is survived by her children, Kathy and Mike; six grandchildren; eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy; and sister-in-law, Maureen; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial calling hours at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon were held Thursday, April 22nd. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Denis Church in Hanover, NH on Friday, April 23rd. It will be livestreamed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to St. Denis Church or The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont.
To leave a message of condolence or remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
Marie met her husband, Jack Willis (US Army Air Corps), while attending courses for the military in Iowa, and they married soon after on September 7th 1946.
Jack and Marie had two children, Kathleen Webster of Weymouth, MA and Mike Willis of Hartland, VT.
Marie spent her early years raising her family in New Rochelle where her husband Jack was a funeral director. Marie was a gregarious, charismatic and independent woman who enjoyed bringing up her children and being surrounded by her many friends and family members. As her children grew, Marie enjoyed spending weekends and vacations hosting her children and grandchildren at their log cabin in Andes, NY. She also enjoyed venturing to Maine and Vermont for summers spent eating lobster and watching the children swim in the frigid ocean on Vinalhaven, ME and hiking, fishing and farming in Woodstock, VT.
After Marie's husband, Jack, passed away in March of 1999, Marie moved to Woodstock, Vermont to be closer to her son and his family. It was here that Marie created a new community of cherished and long-lasting friendships. Marie was an active member of the Thompson Senior Center, St. Anne's Club and American Legion. She was a long time communicant at Our Lady of the Snows where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She moved to Quail Hollow in West Lebanon where she spent the remaining years of her life surrounded by a devoted and loving group of new friends. She was kind and generous and enjoyed giving back to the community, while socializing with her friends. Marie marched proudly in many parades and was a patriotic lady, proud of the service she provided for her country. She was also progressive. Having lived through the Great Depression, WWII and our most recent COVID pandemic, Marie was a strong and independent woman. She was always enlightened by a conversation with a differing viewpoint and had an open-minded approach. Marie was hip with the times, always wearing her best and priding herself in her style. She was never one to miss a party or event and always came with a beautiful smile, laughter and her clever wit.
Marie will be long remembered for her loving devotion to her family and friends, compassion towards others and the energy and positive attitude she brought to life. She lived every moment up until her death with purpose, independence and pride. She was determined to make it to her 99th Birthday to celebrate amongst family and friends at The 99 Restaurant, and that she did.
Marie passed away on the morning of April 8th, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones listening to the same song, "Time To Say Goodbye." that Jack heard on his passing. Her last words being, "How wonderful", truly encompass her outlook on life. Found amongst her things, was a hand-written quote, "Three things we need: someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to." Marie was a hero amongst us and we will all continue to learn from the lessons she taught us while here on earth as she shines her bright light on us and guides us from up above.
Marie is survived by her children, Kathy and Mike; six grandchildren; eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy; and sister-in-law, Maureen; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial calling hours at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon were held Thursday, April 22nd. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Denis Church in Hanover, NH on Friday, April 23rd. It will be livestreamed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to St. Denis Church or The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont.
To leave a message of condolence or remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
West Lebanon, NH -- Marie Willis was born on March 26th, 1922 to Amelia and George Grunbeck in Stamford, Connecticut. She briefly attended the University of Connecticut and then worked for Yale and Towne Lock Company to help support her family before joining the US Navy WAVES in June of 1943.
Marie met her husband, Jack Willis (US Army Air Corps), while attending courses for the military in Iowa, and they married soon after on September 7th 1946.
Jack and Marie had two children, Kathleen Webster of Weymouth, MA and Mike Willis of Hartland, VT.
Marie spent her early years raising her family in New Rochelle where her husband Jack was a funeral director. Marie was a gregarious, charismatic and independent woman who enjoyed bringing up her children and being surrounded by her many friends and family members. As her children grew, Marie enjoyed spending weekends and vacations hosting her children and grandchildren at their log cabin in Andes, NY. She also enjoyed venturing to Maine and Vermont for summers spent eating lobster and watching the children swim in the frigid ocean on Vinalhaven, ME and hiking, fishing and farming in Woodstock, VT.
After Marie's husband, Jack, passed away in March of 1999, Marie moved to Woodstock, Vermont to be closer to her son and his family. It was here that Marie created a new community of cherished and long-lasting friendships. Marie was an active member of the Thompson Senior Center, St. Anne's Club and American Legion. She was a long time communicant at Our Lady of the Snows where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She moved to Quail Hollow in West Lebanon where she spent the remaining years of her life surrounded by a devoted and loving group of new friends. She was kind and generous and enjoyed giving back to the community, while socializing with her friends. Marie marched proudly in many parades and was a patriotic lady, proud of the service she provided for her country. She was also progressive. Having lived through the Great Depression, WWII and our most recent COVID pandemic, Marie was a strong and independent woman. She was always enlightened by a conversation with a differing viewpoint and had an open-minded approach. Marie was hip with the times, always wearing her best and priding herself in her style. She was never one to miss a party or event and always came with a beautiful smile, laughter and her clever wit.
Marie will be long remembered for her loving devotion to her family and friends, compassion towards others and the energy and positive attitude she brought to life. She lived every moment up until her death with purpose, independence and pride. She was determined to make it to her 99th Birthday to celebrate amongst family and friends at The 99 Restaurant, and that she did.
Marie passed away on the morning of April 8th, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones listening to the same song, "Time To Say Goodbye." that Jack heard on his passing. Her last words being, "How wonderful", truly encompass her outlook on life. Found amongst her things, was a hand-written quote, "Three things we need: someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to." Marie was a hero amongst us and we will all continue to learn from the lessons she taught us while here on earth as she shines her bright light on us and guides us from up above.
Marie is survived by her children, Kathy and Mike; six grandchildren; eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy; and sister-in-law, Maureen; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial calling hours at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon were held Thursday, April 22nd. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Denis Church in Hanover, NH on Friday, April 23rd. It will be livestreamed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to St. Denis Church or The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont.
To leave a message of condolence or remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
Marie met her husband, Jack Willis (US Army Air Corps), while attending courses for the military in Iowa, and they married soon after on September 7th 1946.
Jack and Marie had two children, Kathleen Webster of Weymouth, MA and Mike Willis of Hartland, VT.
Marie spent her early years raising her family in New Rochelle where her husband Jack was a funeral director. Marie was a gregarious, charismatic and independent woman who enjoyed bringing up her children and being surrounded by her many friends and family members. As her children grew, Marie enjoyed spending weekends and vacations hosting her children and grandchildren at their log cabin in Andes, NY. She also enjoyed venturing to Maine and Vermont for summers spent eating lobster and watching the children swim in the frigid ocean on Vinalhaven, ME and hiking, fishing and farming in Woodstock, VT.
After Marie's husband, Jack, passed away in March of 1999, Marie moved to Woodstock, Vermont to be closer to her son and his family. It was here that Marie created a new community of cherished and long-lasting friendships. Marie was an active member of the Thompson Senior Center, St. Anne's Club and American Legion. She was a long time communicant at Our Lady of the Snows where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She moved to Quail Hollow in West Lebanon where she spent the remaining years of her life surrounded by a devoted and loving group of new friends. She was kind and generous and enjoyed giving back to the community, while socializing with her friends. Marie marched proudly in many parades and was a patriotic lady, proud of the service she provided for her country. She was also progressive. Having lived through the Great Depression, WWII and our most recent COVID pandemic, Marie was a strong and independent woman. She was always enlightened by a conversation with a differing viewpoint and had an open-minded approach. Marie was hip with the times, always wearing her best and priding herself in her style. She was never one to miss a party or event and always came with a beautiful smile, laughter and her clever wit.
Marie will be long remembered for her loving devotion to her family and friends, compassion towards others and the energy and positive attitude she brought to life. She lived every moment up until her death with purpose, independence and pride. She was determined to make it to her 99th Birthday to celebrate amongst family and friends at The 99 Restaurant, and that she did.
Marie passed away on the morning of April 8th, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones listening to the same song, "Time To Say Goodbye." that Jack heard on his passing. Her last words being, "How wonderful", truly encompass her outlook on life. Found amongst her things, was a hand-written quote, "Three things we need: someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to." Marie was a hero amongst us and we will all continue to learn from the lessons she taught us while here on earth as she shines her bright light on us and guides us from up above.
Marie is survived by her children, Kathy and Mike; six grandchildren; eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy; and sister-in-law, Maureen; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial calling hours at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon were held Thursday, April 22nd. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Denis Church in Hanover, NH on Friday, April 23rd. It will be livestreamed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to St. Denis Church or The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont.
To leave a message of condolence or remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
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