Marie Elena Sorensen Doutre

Marie Elena Sorensen Doutré, age 82, passed away on February 10, 2024 at her home in San Antonio, Texas. She led a remarkable life filled with love, dedication, and service to her family, community, and faith. Marie touched the lives of countless individuals as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and church leader.
Third child and eldest daughter of Severin Lund Sorensen and Katharine Marie Griffith, Marie was born January 7, 1942 and grew up in Sierra Madre, California. She graduated with distinction from Monrovia-Duarte High School and went on to complete a B.A. in Elementary Education at the University of California, Los Angeles. Marie married her sweetheart, William Hyrum Doutré, in the Los Angeles Latter-day Saint Temple on July 12, 1967. They married while Bill was on leave from service in the U.S. Army, and she joined him shortly after at his first duty station in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. Marie and Bill relocated to Utah, then Texas where Bill completed his education, earning a Doctorate of Pharmacy. While living in San Antonio and La Marque, Texas, they welcomed two sons to their family, Will and Dave. The family moved to Littleton, Colorado in 1985.
Marie's love for her family was evident in every aspect of her life, from attending her sons' sporting events to creating cherished memories with her grandchildren. Marie was an incredible mother. Her boys grew up knowing and feeling her unending love. Her enthusiasm for holidays, especially Christmas and candy making, brought joy to those around her. That enthusiasm was documented well through annual Christmas cards and saving and collecting cards from cherished family and friends.
Marie's commitment to education and nurturing young minds spanned nearly four decades, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students in California, Pennsylvania, Utah, Texas, and Colorado. Her passion for children, combined with her continuous pursuit of learning, earned her recognition as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America and a master's degree in Whole Learning Education from Regis University. She fondly remembered her many years teaching at Clayton Elementary School in Englewood, Colorado and retired in 2005 from the Englewood School District.
Marie loved to travel with her husband, in the United States and around the world. Following her retirement, their keen sense of adventure led them across the country to New Hope, Pennsylvania where Marie was actively engaged in the community and first became a grandmother. In 2010, they returned to San Antonio, Texas.
As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marie served diligently in various capacities, leaving a legacy of compassion, leadership, and service. Her dedication to her faith and her community was unwavering, and her contributions will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She served as a Stake Relief Society President in both Philadelphia and San Antonio and with her husband in leadership of the Susquehanna Pennsylvania Young Single Adults Ward. Her talent for organizing, party planning, and decorating led to fun, memorable events and women's conferences. During the last era of her life, Marie loved coordinating gatherings for and being with her empty-nesters group.
After the birth of her first grandchild in 2007, Marie most enjoyed spending her time doting on each of her six grandchildren: Brett William, William Martell, Daisy Emma, Abby Madison, Cayla Anne, and Bonnie Katharine. She and Bill loved living close to the Texas Doutrés and traveled often to spend time with the Utah Doutrés. She passed her love of reading, especially Harry Potter, to her grandchildren and supported them at many sporting events, music recitals, and in hours of imaginative play. She had a special knack for making each grandchild feel special and always sent the perfect card for each birthday and nearly every holiday, especially St. Patrick's Day.
Marie is survived by her husband, Wlliam H. Doutré, two of her sons, and her grandchildren: William Robert and Sara Menlove Doutré (William, Daisy, and Bonnie) and David Joseph and Alecia Bartholomew Doutré (Brett, Abby, and Cayla). She is also survived by her sister Deena (Larry) Jackson. Marie was preceded in death by her son Michael Alfred Doutré; her parents; her brothers Severin Lund Jr. and Griffith Lund; and her sisters Dorothy Kladine, Elizabeth Jane, and Joan Kathryn.
Though Marie's physical presence may be gone, her spirit lives on in the hearts of her loved ones and those she influenced throughout her lifetime. Two services will be held to celebrate her life and the widespread impact she had on those who were fortunate enough to know her.