Marilynn Monroe

Marilynn Monroe passed peacefully from this earth to be with her Lord and Savior and her beloved Marvin on September 4, 2024. Marilynn was born July 23, 1937, in Denver, CO, to Clifford J. and Anna M. Smith. She moved, as a child, with her family to Sheridan, WY. She grew up and attended schools in Sheridan, where, after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Marvin D. Monroe, also of Sheridan.

After their marriage, the happy couple moved to Laramie, WY, where they both attended the University of Wyoming. From there, they moved to Canon City, CO where she worked as a secretary for H. K. Porter and then for the Harward-Johnson Law Firm. In 1969, Marvin and Marilynn purchased McMillian’s Book Store, changing the name to Monroe’s Gift Shoppe. Marilynn ran the business until 1989, when she went to work as a program director for the Addiction Recovery Program with the Colorado Department of Corrections, and Marvin took over the business operation. In 1999 they sold the business, and both retired to return to Wyoming. Marilynn was involved with several women’s groups while living in Canon City and did volunteer work after returning to Wyoming.

Marilynn’s greatest joys were her family, holidays and backyard cookouts, and supporting them in all their endeavors. She also loved the mountains of both Colorado and Wyoming and was always up for a camping trip or just a drive to see the changing of the colors in the fall. Marilynn enjoyed traveling to other parts of the country and even a few other parts of the world. She always cheered for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. In the early 80’s, she played both pitcher and catcher for the Monroe’s Gift Shoppe women’s softball team.

Marilynn is preceded in death by both of her parents, her husband, Marvin; her brother, Carl R. Smith; and a niece. She is survived by her daughter, Rita (Dennis) Rowe; grandchildren, Shawn (Lisa) Rowe, Shane (Cary) Rowe, Denise Brown (Adam Guerra); great-grandchildren, Emma and Sydney Rowe, Tristen and Aiden Rowe, and Vivian Brown all of Canon City; daughter, Donna Monroe of Canon City; grandchildren, Travis Erps of Canon City, Brooke (Sean) Thomas; great-grandchildren, Harlow and Sawyer Thomas of San Antonio, TX, and Jesse Erps of Georgia; as well as two nieces and a nephew.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Christ First Community Church: 801 Main St. in Canon City with Pastor Vic Peterson officiating. A lunch reception will follow.

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