Marie L. Dill

Marie L. Dill was born in Trinidad, Colorado on February 6, 1929. Born to Eloyda “Loyda” (Ortiz) Cordova and Benigno “Ben” Cordova, Marie was the eldest of 10 children. She passed away on January 1, 2024, at St. Andrew’s Village in Aurora, Colorado at the age of 94, one day after her favorite holiday – New Year’s Eve.

Loving wife of Arthur G. Dill and devoted mother to Greg L. Dill, both of whom predeceased her. Also predeceased by brothers Van, Raymond, Charles, Donald, and Terry Cordova.

Survivors include grandson Andrew L. Dill of Bismarck, ND, sister Margaret Clayton of Bellingham, WA, brother Richard (Ann) Cordova of Mission Viejo, CA, and sisters Loretta Espinoza and Patricia Fausone of Pueblo, CO, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Marie grew up in Trinidad, Colorado and was a member of Holy Trinity High School’s graduating class of 1946. After high school, Marie worked at the City Clerk’s office in Trinidad until she saved up enough money to move to Denver at the age of 20. Marie very much enjoyed her young life in a smaller, simpler Denver. She loved dressing up and going out, and valued her jobs at the Denver Police Department in the Records Room, the Traffic Bureau, and later the Probation Department. It was at the DPD where Marie met her husband, Art, who eventually rose through the ranks to become Denver’s Chief of Police under Mayor Bill McNichols. Marie and Art were thrust into the public eye and came to represent the city she loved. Always beautiful, charming, and well put together, the role of the Chief’s wife suited her well. Marie considered the police department and its members to be her second family and made many dear friends along the way.

Marie lived in Denver for nearly 75 years but spent her last months at St. Andrew’s Village Assisted Living in Aurora, CO. A lifelong Catholic, she was a long-time parishioner of Risen Christ Church in Denver and also appreciated the religious presence and caring staff of St. Andrew’s Village in conjunction with Bloom Healthcare and Hospice. Marie’s family would like to thank them for their dedicated care and compassion in Marie’s final days on this earth.

Marie had a profound sense of duty and will be remembered as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, employee and friend. A private person by nature she cherished time with close friends and family. She cast a wide net and touched the lives of many.

Please join us Friday, February 2, 2024, to celebrate Marie’s life beginning with a 10:00 a.m. funeral mass at Risen Christ Church, 3600 South Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO, followed by 11:30 internment and reception at Olinger Hampden, 8600 E. Hampden Ave, Denver, CO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the following charities dear to Marie’s heart: The Denver Police Museum, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Bloom Hospice, the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal.