It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Marilyn DeVries Fenner. Born on April 4th, 1936, Marilyn graced this world with her presence for eighty-nine years before leaving us on September 17th, 2025. She was a tenacious woman, fiercely independent, yet incredibly fair-minded. Her life was filled with love, passion, and heartwarming memories that will forever live in those who knew her.

Marilyn is survived by her loving family – her daughter, Kristen Lee Fenner; her son, Raymond Edward Fenner IV (Cate); and her granddaughters, Heather Nelson (Michael) and Tyler Brent. Each of them carries on her spirit in their hearts, sharing her stories and memories that continue to light up Marilyn's life.

Marilyn was born in Chicago, Illinois,  daughter of Robert DeVries and Helen Vetter.  She was a typical city girl who enjoyed going to the YMCA to swim, viewing the holiday decorated windows of the department stores, and spent time taking music lessons and elocution lessons. The family moved to Olathe, Colorado when Marilyn was a teenager.  She graduated from Olathe High School in 1953 and moved to Denver where she met her husband Raymond Edward Fenner III.  The two were married in 1955 and moved to North Carolina and New England during their marriage.  

In 1967, Marilyn returned to Colorado as a single mother and began her career at Frontier Airlines. She started as a Reservation Agent and became the Manager of the Reservation Office, remaining there until the airline's bankruptcy in 1986. Following this, Marilyn pursued higher education, earning both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from Metropolitan State College. She later retired from CitiCorp/Diners Club. Marilyn then moved to her family's vacation cabin, which she had purchased in 1974 in the mountains. Finally, she managed a reservation office at Keystone until retiring at the age of 65.

Marilyn had a deep love for live theater, often supporting the Lake Dillon Theater now The SilCo Theater in Silverthorne, Colorado.  She cherished their trips to New York City to see shows and enjoyed volunteering for the theater as well. Marilyn was an active member of the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District for many years. Her contributions and firm belief in their cause allowed her to spend time outdoors while giving back to her community.  She also volunteered at the Summit County Animal Hospital where she would spend time with shelter cats and kittens to make them more approachable and adoptable. Marilyn also enjoyed immersing herself in nature through hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing in the mountains. Marilyn enjoyed singing with the Summit Chorale Society as well as the Mountain Majesty barbershop group.  In 1999, several Vail Resorts employees, including Marilyn, made their debut at Carnegie Hall as part of the Summit County Chorale to sing the Beethoven Mass in C. In 2000, she  traveled with members of the Summit Chorale Society to Washington, DC to help celebrate the placing of the National Christmas Tree.  

Her favorite vacation spot was the undisturbed beauty of Kauai. She loved every corner of it - from the beautiful trees lining the rivers to the serene sights at the Fern Grotto. Marilyn found beauty in the simplest things, cherishing the slow-moving clear water, stunning rock formations, and the locals' traditional attire. The singing of the Hawaiian Wedding Song against the backdrop of this captivating scenery was a moment that left a lasting impact on her, which she often described as 'a fantasy'. 

As we bid goodbye to Marilyn, we celebrate a life well-lived - filled with love and passion, dreams lived, and memories created. While we feel her absence deeply, we take comfort in the joy and love she bestowed upon us and the many lives she touched.

Marilyn was, quite simply, a badass who lived life on her own terms while lifting others up along the way. Her legacy of strength, kindness, and joy will continue to inspire all of us who were lucky enough to know her.

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