Marilyn is survived by, two sons, Charles L. Harris and Larry A. Harris, as well as grandchildren Lorian C. DuCharme (Harris), Adam C. Harris, Amy C. Harris, and Alex C. Harris, and great grandson Gavin D. Redouane.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Charles W. Harris, and her four older siblings: Henry “Jack” Gabel Jr., Edward G. Gabel, Charles W. Gabel, and Robert E. Gabel.
Marilyn was born in Denver, Colorado on January 23, 1933 at what was then known as Denver General Hospital. Her mother, Margaret, was also born in Denver, and her grandfather, Herman Griese, immigrated from Germany and is buried in Denver’s oldest cemetery – the Riverside Cemetery – in 1909. Her Denver roots grew deep.
As the fifth and only female child, she enjoyed both special attention and heightened scrutiny from her parents and siblings. Her father forbade short dresses and would check her coat to make sure she wasn’t sneaking one out of the house. Unbeknownst to him, she would hide them in her coat’s lining! This mischievous spirit stayed with her all through her life.
She married Charles W. Harris on January 10, 1953. They were together for 45 years when Charles passed. Together, they raised two boys in Westminster, CO. Marilyn had several occupations, including being an egg candler for Safeway, but especially enjoyed her time serving food to elementary school children in Adams County. She was dedicated to her sons and took great care to ensure that Larry, who has intellectual and developmental disabilities, enjoyed the best quality of life possible.
In her role as Grandma, her house was always open as a safe haven. Her grandchildren were given as much ice cream and soda pop as they desired and could watch cartoons for hours every day if they wanted to. It was rare to leave Grandma’s house without a new pair of shoes, a new toy, or at least a bologna sandwich. She was just as kind to animals and was always stocked with cat food for the strays. Not once, but twice, a neighborhood cat gave birth to their kittens in her home.
Towards the end of her life, her son Charles, his wife Cathy Lynn, and Cathy’s sister, Ruth Turrieta, moved in to Marilyn’s home to provide her around-the-clock care. She was constantly surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed her life to fullest, donning party hats on birthdays, doling out sage driving advice (“You tell those other drivers that yes, in fact, I DO own the road!”), and making her gratitude known with a perfectly pronounced “dánke” (German for thank you). As long as she could stand at the door, she would always wave her many visitors goodbye.
And now, with tears in our eyes and love in our hearts, we wave goodbye to you, Grandma.
A private funeral will be held on August 24, 2022 at Olinger Crown Hill in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Marilyn will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Ft. Logan National Cemetery on the same day. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to organizations that help feed people, such as Meals on Wheels and the Denver Rescue Mission.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks. If you would like more information, please email Amy at harrisamyc@gmail.com.
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