Marilyn “Marty” Corby DeWitt – January 26, 2024

Marilyn “Marty” Corby DeWitt, age 91, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away January 26, 2024. She was born October 22, 1932, to Martin and Theresa Corby along with her twin sister as the youngest of six siblings (Lorraine, Delores, Jeanette, Charles and twin sister Marion) in Detroit, Michigan. Most unfortunately, when Marty was only 5 or 6 years old, her mother died. Her father remarried, and Marty soon had a half-sister, Mary (Corby) Zimelis, who currently lives in Michigan.

Marty attended St. Vincent Catholic grade school in Detroit until the family moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee when her father, who was a master plumber/steamfitter, was sent there to work on what would eventually become known as the Manhattan Project. After the war, the family moved back to Detroit briefly before leaving the big city and relocating to Whitehall, Michigan where Marty attended Whitehall High School and where she had her first job selling popcorn at a local drugstore.

At 17, she chose a religious vocation and joined the Sisters of Mercy Catholic order and enrolled at the University of Detroit Mercy where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She went on to study at Notre Dame, where she learned about notable relatives including the Blessed Fr. Ralph Corby, SJ who was martyred in 1632 as well as Fr. William Corby who studied, became a priest and taught at Notre Dame and subsequently served two distinguished terms as its president. Marty further advanced her education at Xavier University where she earned her master’s degree.

It was around the time the Vatican II council was convened that Marty proudly wore a sister’s habit for many years. She taught and later served as principal at a Catholic grade school. As the years went by however, she felt there was much needed change within the Church and her Order of Sisters. Somewhat ironically though, she disliked the eventual decision by her congregation of sisters to change from wearing the traditional habit to lay/secular clothing. Ultimately, she left the sisterhood in 1966. Around that same time, there was a Catholic priest named Frank DeWitt who also felt that the Church needed to change, and similar to Marty’s decision, he chose to leave the priesthood. The two met, became fast friends, fell in love and were married in 1967. Despite leaving their religious vocations, they both stayed active in the Catholic Church for the rest of their lives.

Frank and Marty moved to Flint, Michigan where Marty was a junior high school teacher and Frank was a counselor. The two were blessed with the news of becoming expectant parents, and their daughter, Sarah (Christopher Zill), was born in 1970. Back when he was still a priest, Frank vacationed out West and grew fond of the mountains. After searching for job opportunities, Marty landed a job as a junior high school teacher with Teton County School District and the family moved to Jackson, Wyoming. Marty had a great impact on her students, several of whom remained in contact with her throughout their entire lives. In fact, one student was so touched by Marty that he visited Frank and Marty every year, including once when, short on resources, he decided to ride his bike from Michigan to Wyoming just to make the visit. After 22 years as a teacher, Marty retired.

With the beauty of the Teton mountains as backdrop, Marty truly enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle: hiking, camping, boating, fly fishing and hunting were favorite activities along with a garden and the family’s dogs and horses. Marty even rode her horse on the local cattle drive in Jackson. In retirement, they traveled in an RV to the southern United States and drove to Mexico several times.

Before they moved from Jackson, Wyoming to Clancy, Montana just outside Helena in 2000, where they still enjoyed outdoor activities, the first of three grandsons was born in 1998. Aidan, Brennan (Kaylin Zilar) and Daniel Zill were shimmering stars in their grandparents’ eyes. When they weren’t wintering at their place in Arizona, Marty continued to enjoy the outdoors of Montana, especially the long summer vacation visits from her daughter Sarah, Chris and the three grandsons. There are rumors Marty might have spoiled her grandsons with cookies, scones and shortbread, but it would seem that any evidence was destroyed.

As the saying goes: “Time marches on.” And so it did. To be closer to family, Frank and Marty moved to Colorado Springs in 2018, and enjoyed watching their grandsons continue to grow into the fine young men they are today. Unexpectedly, Frank died in February 2020 after which Marty moved into Chris and Sarah’s home in 2022 because… “Common sense prevails” as Marty would always say. In fact, Marty would always say a lot of things… to anyone, anywhere, who would listen. She could, would and did strike up conversations almost anywhere and anytime; even with someone standing in line with her at the store. They always left smiling. She made friends with people everywhere she went.

Those who really got to know Marty always grew to love her. Those who were lucky enough just to meet her, by default, were always her friends… well, except maybe for that man she caught mercilessly beating his horse while Marty was hunting in the mountains. He probably didn’t love Marty, and he might not have even considered her a friend, but he sure respected her after he was able to walk away with his kneecaps intact. We don’t know for sure exactly what the feelings of the sheriff who talked to Marty afterward were but suffice it to say that after talking to Marty, he gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and he walked away with a smile.

Marty: You know that I love you, and everyone here loves you. Those who don’t love you just didn’t know you long enough, but they are still your friends. My thoughts, all of our thoughts, and prayers are with you as you pass through the gates of heaven and enter into the arms of God Almighty. Rejoice and be glad. Rest in peace, Marty, and… “May dreams be as sweet as the dreamer.”

A funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10:00 am preceded by a rosary at 9:00am. St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Sisters of Mercy.