Marjorie E Speece

Marge is survived by her daughter Sherry and son-in-law Fran Ranney in Denver, sister Barbara Patch in California, sister Allene and husband Earl Leese in Pennsylvania, and brother Kenny Hopkins in Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Eva Hopkins, brothers Elvin, Garold and Oren Hopkins, and sister Doris Campbell. She was born in Pennsylvania but decided to stay in the Denver area to be near her daughter in 1980. She had a college degree in Art and a masters degree in Recreational Therapy. She put her whole heart into her job as the Recreational Director at Bear The Creek Nursing Home in Morrison, Colorado. I never saw someone who was so hardworking, devoted and caring as she was during her years there. After her retirement from there, she became a "demo" lady at Pace, which later became Sam's Club. She worked there until the age of 80. I once asked her why she was still working and her answer was, "Because I can". She loved arts and crafts and would frequently be up until the wee hours working on different projects. She also loved gardening and was so proud of the small backyard of her townhouse in Lakewood, which she completely planted and landscaped herself. She remained active and involved as long as she could until her dementia finally took over. She had to eventually move to Lowry Park, an assisted living facility, where she lived until her death on March 26, 2011. It was extremely difficult to watch her decline, but she was always so sweet and cheerful there, and everyone loved her. Fran and I will miss her terribly, but know she is at peace now and back to the real Marge before the dementia took her away from us. I was so lucky to have such a wonderful mom and hope I can age and die as gracefully as she did. Please make donations in her memory to Lowry Park Assisted Living, 8505 Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230. Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Woods Chapel, Golden, CO.