Anna Lee “Tootie” Weiss, almost 96, of Colorado Springs passed very gently Monday morning, December 23, at Pikes Peak Hospice. She was born January 30, 1924, to Russell and Gussie Richards in Richwood, West Virginia. She was a graduate of Greenbriar College for Women, a junior college, then continued her education at Sophie Newcomb College, and graduated from West Virginia University. She worked out of Dallas, Texas, as a flight attendant for Braniff Airways in 1949. The following year she met and married Tully Weiss. They spent several months in Dallas before he was recalled into active duty with the Marine Corps. They were sent to Camp Pendleton, CA, for a delightful 17-month tour of duty. While there, Tootie used her degree in social work as a welfare worker with the County of San Diego. They returned to Dallas and civilian life in 1952, where their family grew to five with the addition of their two sons, Tom and Bill, and their daughter, Jana. Tully’s civilian career in retail took the family to Phoenix, Arizona in 1962, and finally to Colorado Springs in 1964.
Tootie’s civic involvements included the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Docent Program, The Ladies of Brockhurst, an auxiliary support group for Brockhurst Boys’ Ranch, Pikes Peak La Sertoma, the Colorado Springs Symphony Guild, and volunteer work at Penrose Hospital. She was also a member of First Presbyterian Church. Together, Tootie and Tully enjoyed playing bridge, many trips with Ports of Call travel club, their family, and their many great lifelong friends here in the Springs and beyond. They were delighted that all three of their children settled into the area and enjoyed lots of family time together over the years.
Tootie and her dear friend, Sally Davis, had great adventures in the 1970’s riding their bicycles and mopeds around Colorado Springs, back when traffic was light enough to allow it. You’d see them with their floppy brimmed hats, sunglasses, and white slacks cuffed in at the ankle, handlebar baskets laden with treasures they found at Ross Auction.
Tootie was preceded in death by Tully (2013), her parents, and her sister Jeanette Snyder of Pensacola, Florida. She is survived by her three children, Tom Weiss of Colorado Springs, Jana Vigilante and her husband, Mark, of Colorado Springs, Bill Weiss and his wife, Becky, of Manitou Springs and their two grown children, Ariel and Thad Weiss. She is also survived by nephews and nieces: John (Prissy) Snyder of Pensacola, FL, Thomas (Darlene) Snyder of Springfield, IL, Anna Lee (Mike) Bartlett of Woodbine, MD, Guy Moore (Danna) of Colorado Springs, Tully Weiss (Kalynn) of Dallas, TX, and Brad Moore of Mineral Wells, TX.
Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Pikes Peak Hospice, or The National Mill Dog Rescue Network.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd.
Guy Moore
4 Jan 2020I was fortunate enough to call Tootie my Aunt. Spending time with her, Tully ,Tom, Bill, and Jana when I was a child was and will always be some of my most treasured memories. If anyone had the gift of hospitality it was Tootie. Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will forever be imprinted upon my heart. Her love and acceptance of everyone she met was one of her many shining attributes. It was impossible to be around Tootie and not be swept up in her warmth and sweet sense of humor. She was someone you could feel safe with and her life was characterized by a love that can only be described as all-embracing. She leaves a big hole in my heart, but one that will be filled with wonderful recollections for the rest of my life.
Brad Michael Moore
5 Jan 2020I loved my Aunt Tootie! I will always carry a place with her memory in my heart! Tootie was a fixture in my life until I was ten – when her family moved from Dallas, to western destinations. Those were formative years, and Tootie was a fixture in them! She was a most consistent human being in her sweet, nurturing nature! Being a very compassionate person – Tootie, I believe, always strived to do the right thing… In matters of family, Tootie, ‘Stood by her Man – Uncle Tully,’ when it came down to game rules. Tootie was emotionally tuned-in – sharing plenty of room between her husband, children, and her friends. No one was ever a stranger in Tootie’s kitchen – as she loved to cook and feed visitors, family & best friends alike! She was the greatest host! That compassion was returned to her when, as adults, all her children shared in the responsibilities of assuring that – their mother could live out her final days at home – with their love, devotion, and care-taking. Tootie – all of your oldest and best friends have been awaiting you! Peace & love forever follows you with speed!