Marie Lynn McCrary

Marie L. McCrary, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023. She was born on December 17, 1946 in Nampa, Idaho to the late Floyd Russell and Betty Russell. Betty re-married when she was very young and Marie was lovingly raised by her mother and her late step father, Stanley Shull.

After Marie's family moved to Colorado, she graduated from Ranum High School near the top of her class. This is also where she met her first husband and high school sweetheart, Laddie "Lee" Allen Sr. After graduation, Marie and Lee Sr. married. Soon after, they found out they were expecting Laddie "Lee" Allen Jr. Near the end of her pregnancy, Lee Sr. passed away in a tragic boating accident. Marie, Lee Sr. and his cousin, Michael McCrary, were always hanging around one another and were very close friends. Michael was a big support to Marie after Lee Sr. passed. They fell in love and married the following year. A few years later, Marie gave birth to another son, Ricky McCrary.

Marie stayed home with her children for a few years, then had small jobs until she found work through a staffing agency. This actually helped lead into her long-time career at the City of Aurora. She started out as a secretary for the traffic attorney's division and worked her way up throughout her 35+ years there to become an office administrator. She retired just a few years ago.

Family was important in Marie's life. She loved having family to over to visit at their longtime home that Michael had built for them on 5 acres in Bennett, CO. She also enjoyed going up the hill to play on the slot machines, watching game shows and cheering on her beloved Denver Broncos. Anyone who knew her knew there was never a shortage of Diet Coke in her fridge, or potato chips and sweets in the cupboard.

Marie is survived by her son- Ricky McCrary; her daughter in law, Margaret Allen ; her grandchildren-Laddie "Lee" Allen III (Kimberly Allen), Crista Vosmera (Mark Vosmera), Jared Allen (Katlin Allen), Kylie McCrary, and Zoee McCrary. She is also survived by her eight great grandsons. In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her first husband-Laddie "Lee" Allen Sr; her late husband- Michael McCrary; her brother, Terry Russell ; and her son, Laddie "Lee" Allen Jr.

We will all miss her dearly. A memorial service will be held 10am, Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Olinger Highland Mortuary Chapel, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229.

If attending the Memorial Service, in honor of Marie's love of the Denver Broncos, please consider wearing Denver Broncos attire or team colors.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the McCrary family.