Marie M. COLVIN

COLVIN, Marie M.
June 17, 1928 September 20, 2011

Marie McNinch Colvin died on September 20, 2011 at the University Retirement Community in Davis, with her daughter, Sally, by her side.

She was born Marie Catherine McNinch to Arthur Evril McNinch and Tressa Brooks McNinch in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 17, 1928. Marie attended public schools in Pittsburgh and followed in her father's and aunt's footsteps by graduating from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

In 1949, she met Harry Walter Colvin, Jr. in Schellsburg, Pennsylvania during a 'chance' meeting arranged by each of their aunts. They were engaged a few months later and married in April 1950.

After their wedding and Harry's graduation from Penn State, they moved to Davis, California, where Harry began his Ph.D. studies at the University of California, Davis. Marie began teaching elementary school at Central Davis Elementary School and later East Davis Elementary School. Their daughter, Sally, was born during this time.

In 1956, they moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where their son, Bill, was born and Harry began a teaching and research position at Oklahoma State University. Two years later the family of four moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas where Harry joined the faculty of the Animal Science Department at the University of Arkansas.

In 1965, they returned to Davis where Harry joined the Department of Animal Physiology at the University of California, Davis. Marie returned to teaching in 1967 at West Davis Elementary School.

Marie loved entertaining, reading, planning trips, playing bridge, designing and decorating their homes, accompanying Harry on his sabbaticals in Yugoslavia and Argentina, taking classes and learning, teaching school (grades K - 6), and architecture - especially that of Frank Lloyd Wright.

After her retirement in 1986, Marie and Harry embarked on a six month trip around the world. In 1987, she began a watercolor painting class at the Davis Senior Center, an interest which led to attending watercolor classes across the US. She was also the featured artist at several local one-woman shows.

In 2000, Marie and Harry moved to the University Retirement Community in Davis where they continued their varied interests, made many new friends but also kept their long-time friends from Davis.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Harry Colvin, who died in October 2010. She is survived by her daughter Sarah (Sally) Lee Colvin Hoeprich (husband Paul Daniel Hoeprich, Jr.) of Davis and Pleasanton and her son William (Bill) McNinch Colvin (wife Jill Olson Colvin) of South Lake Tahoe.

Marie will be remembered for her love of teaching, her warmth, her intellect, her generosity, her talent as a watercolorist and for the love for her family.

The family would like to thank Marie's caregivers, Cindy Miller and Aime De Leon, for their support and companionship.

At Marie's request there will be no memorial service. Memorial donations may be made in Marie's name to the Yolo County Library at 226 Buckeye Street, Woodland, California, 95695.