Marilyn Wentworth Luce

Marilyn Wentworth Luce, 86, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on May 6, 2019.

She was born on December 28, 1932 in Canaseraga, New York, to Glen and Gladys Wentworth.

Growing up, Marilyn went K-12 at Canaseraga Central School and later attended Alfred University, graduating with a 2-year degree in Accounting. She then traveled to California and worked at Bank of America and then transferred to a Bank of America in Texas.

She married James (Jim) R. Luce on February 9, 1957, in the Methodist Church in Canaseraga, NY, lasting a wonderful 62 years. Growing up in small town, only 10 houses apart, Marilyn and Jim knew each other as children and then started dating while in high school. Their courtship began while Jim was in the Aviation Cadet Program and Marilyn asked Jim to marry her!

Loving mother of Maureen (Lance) Allen, James Luce and Jon Luce; and a very proud grandmother (Nana) of Shanon, Kyle, Kaitlin, Alex, Emma, Joey and Kelsey.

As an officer’s wife in the US Air Force, they were stationed in Plattsburgh AFB, NY, where they began their family with the birth of Maureen and then James. Then they lived the military life traveling to Tachikawa AFB, Japan, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, where Jon was born. Then the military transferred Marilyn and the family to Canaseraga, while Jim served a year in Vietnam. The family finally settled in Colorado after Jim was stationed at NORAD/ENT AFB, Peterson AFB, CO, calling Colorado Springs home since 1968.

While stationed in Colorado Springs, Marilyn was very involved with the Officer’s Wives Club (OWC) as the treasurer and also the president. Her tenure as OWC President, was highlighted by arranging for guest speaker, Pierre Salinger, a former press secretary and a world-famous journalist to speak at the annual meeting. As well as Buzz Aldrin as a guest speaker for the OWC’s 200 members.

She stayed busy as a homemaker and with the Toastmasters and had a great love of singing with many local groups, Song Spinners, Vocal Fusion and in the choir at the First United Methodist Church. At the church, she volunteered for years as a receptionist and communion prep. Marilyn and her daughter co-owned a shop, Scene 2 – Consignment Boutique, and enjoyed their lady customers and running as the M&M Connection together for 5 years.

Marilyn and Jim’s retirement years were full of motor home traveling and adventure through the states making many friends within their various motor home clubs.

Marilyn is survived by her devoted loving husband; her three children; and seven grandchildren and step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her adopted brother, Robert Wentworth.

A service and reception will be held Tuesday, May 14th at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Ave. The family will have a private inurnment at a later date at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.

To honor Marilyn, please make a charitable donation to Parkinson’s Research or Pikes Peak Hospice.