Marjorie Alice "Margie" Anaya

Marjorie 'Margie' Alice Anaya, 81, died January 15, 2025, in Colorado Springs, CO. Margie was born in New Brighton, PA in 1943. Surviving family members include her husband of 46 years, Jack C. Anaya; her daughter, Ruth Anne Rohrbach (Gary); grandson Nathan (Danielle); and great-grandson Levi, all of Colorado Springs. Loving nieces provided support to Margie across the miles.
Margie profoundly felt each loss in her life - particularly those of her parents, Leslie and Ruth Clark-Anderson and siblings Doris, Marilyn, Nancy, and Bill. The family lived on First Street in New Brighton facing the old NBHS athletic field. Margie never forgot the fun they had on their rooftop watching high school football. A lifelong Steelers fan, she attended the 2012 Wild Card 'heartbreaker' against Denver at Mile High Stadium with Ruth Anne. Even with 'terrible towels' to cheer on Big Ben's Steelers, Denver won.
After leaving New Brighton High early to marry in 1959, she moved west and earned a BCompSc (TX) and M.Ed. in Special Education (CO) degree. Her call was to teach. Margie taught in private and public schools for adults, high schoolers, and middle-schoolers. Some students could not speak English, many had learning challenges. She bought supplies, clothing, and even lunch for her students. To prove anything was possible, she sang 'Over the Rainbow' to her Harrison HS students at their talent show! She retired from teaching in 2015 to care for her husband, most recently working at Pueblo Community College as an Adjunct Professor. Despite long hours at low pay, commuting to COS and even getting injured, she was happiest and most purposeful when surrounded by students.
A member of the Cañon City Congregation over 25 years, she treasured the closeness and comfort she felt there. Margie was baptized as a Witness in the early 1960's, first attending a Kingdon Hall in New Brighton. She sometimes played piano for weekly meetings, loved it.
Margie championed the underdog. Sometimes the underdog was a misunderstood student, a disabled person, a lonely elderly lady, a young woman whose mother was far away or a dog needing rescued. Marjorie helped them all while walking along the 'road less traveled'.