Marie Francoise Bauer

Marie “Doudouce” Francoise Bauer was a spirit-filled wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend. She died peacefully on August 25th, 2021 at the age of 77. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 AM on August 31st at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church on Holmes and W. Santa Fe Trail, near 118th. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Food for the Poor and Human Life International. In the true spirit of Marie, take time to enjoy a glass of wine, hug your family, enjoy your neighbors, and delight in the beauty that God has given you with those who are close.

She was born to Denise and Paul Chevin in 1944 in the north of France. She was the third of four close sisters. From an early age, Marie had a desire to travel and moved to London at sixteen to learn English. Following her older sister Bernadette, she moved to Wyoming as a young woman to aupair and continue learning English, and then moved to Denver where she eventually became a flight attendant, her dream job.

She met Tom at a wedding where she was a Bride’s maid and he was the photographer. Several months later, Tom, not wanting to let a beautiful French woman slip by, asked Marie to marry him. They raised two boys in North Denver, Paul and Stephen. Proud of being a French family, Marie and Tom made it a point to embrace and share the French language and culture with their sons via frequent trips to France to visit family and friends and of course to visit the boulangerie, the cheese vendors and winemakers.

Marie’s life was filled with family, love and friendship. Her kitchen often smelled of lamb roast, her famous thin crust apple tart or garlic butter green beans. Under her care, the kitchen was the heart of the home. It was frequently the center of conversation, hosting, and visits. Parties, family get togethers, and gatherings on the patio were commonplace. Hospitality was her gift and she loved to see people laughing and sharing life with each other.

Marie and Tom believed that a relationship with Jesus had to mean a relationship with those in need. Over the years, their home was a refuge for several young pregnant women, some of whom were homeless, as well as several young men who needed a home and the love of a family.

Marie loved her grandchildren. She and Tom moved to Kansas City to be near Paul and Terese’s family, and frequently traveled to France to see Stephen and Julie’s family. Always living life to the fullest, she and Tom most recently traveled to Greece to be on vacation with the French grandchildren. She usually travelled with a few fruit snacks to slip to the grandchildren when their parents weren’t watching and always had a set of markers to draw with the kids.

Marie’s friends were treasured. In Denver, friends from church became like family. The Solanos and Lutreys and their extended family were dear to her. In Kansas City, it was no surprise that Marie and Tom became loving and warm friends to Cindy and Larry, and others in their neighborhood. Marie was a beloved friend at her parish Saint Thomas More where she and Tom sang in the choir and where they both served in hospitality with More Friends.

Marie leaves behind an amazing artwork portfolio. The dream of going to art school as a young woman was never possible so she took up the paintbrush and the colored pencil again later in life. Her work is beloved by her family, friends and art colleagues. It often expresses the beauty of creation, the vibrant colors of life, and the scenes of people doing meaningful work. Her work has earned local and internet-based awards. She was a member of several local and internet artist communities, making dear friends in these circles quickly and easily through her colored pencils and paintbrushes.

Marie is survived by her husband, Tom, her son Paul, and his wife Terese and their children, André, Aidan, Luc, Mayra, and Emmanuelle, and also her son Stephen and his wife Julie, and their children, Léon, Emile, and Scarlett.