News Summary
Mary Annis Arris, a revered educator and spiritual leader, passed away at the age of 94. Known for her deep commitment to education and spiritual growth, she dedicated her life to teaching and mentoring students while embracing her spiritual path. Her legacy continues through her family and the countless lives she touched throughout her career. A memorial service is planned to honor her contributions and memory.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado – Mary Annis Arris, a beloved educator and spiritual leader, passed into Spirit at the age of 94 on June 6, 2025. Her life was celebrated for her extensive contributions to education and her deep commitment to spiritual growth.
Born on April 18, 1931, in Norwalk, Connecticut, Mary was the oldest child of Elliott and Elizabeth (Gilman) Roberts. Growing up in Westport, Connecticut, she experienced the challenges of the Great Depression, igniting a passion for learning that would shape her future. By writing to publishers for “seconds,” she amassed a collection of books, including all 40 of the Wizard of Oz series.
Mary’s educational journey began at Staples High School, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1948. She attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where she studied ornithology and joined the Chi Omega sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics with distinction in January 1952. Soon after, Mary earned her teaching certificate from Adelphi College in New York.
Mary began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in Coronado, California, where she met her future husband, Wayne Frank Arris. They married on July 3, 1954, in Westport and later moved to Massachusetts, where Mary continued teaching while Wayne pursued his studies. In 1959, the couple moved to Colorado to start a family, welcoming two daughters, Lelani and Mindi. They built a home in the foothills near Bergen Park, where Mary lived until 1986.
Taking a break from teaching to raise her daughters, Mary went on to earn a Master of Arts in Guidance Counseling from the University of Colorado in 1965. Following her divorce from Wayne in 1972, she returned to education, specializing in home-bound students in Jefferson County. In 1975, she completed a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Mary dedicated many years to teaching in various schools in the Denver area, retiring in June 1992 from Morey Junior High.
In 1988, Mary achieved a third Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Throughout her life as a single mother, she maintained a loving and adventurous spirit, often taking her daughters on trips across the Southwest and through the beautiful landscapes of Colorado. A passionate photographer, Mary documented her family’s journey and the natural world around her, while her love for music enriched their family road trips.
In 1977, Mary found a spiritual path with the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA), where she became a minister in 1982. Her spiritual quest led her to remarkable places, including a trip to Egypt in 1990 and a memorable cruise to Alaska in 1993. During this cruise, her ship encountered a dire situation requiring rescue, showcasing her indomitable spirit.
Mary embraced family as a focal point of her life. She welcomed step-granddaughters Nikki and Veronica in 1993 and was present for the birth of her granddaughter Rebecca in 1997. She frequently visited British Columbia to support her daughter Lelani during new motherhood and celebrated the birth of her granddaughter Alina in 2000. Every summer, Mary gathered her family for a week-long retreat in Colorado, creating cherished memories.
In her later years, Mary lived in Lookout Mountain and Bergen Village before moving to MorningStar of Wheat Ridge in 2016. Despite her advanced age, she maintained a lively mind and a warm sense of humor, forming numerous friendships and sharing her life stories with those around her.
Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence Roberts. She is survived by her sister Ruth Esther Bennett; her daughters, Lelani (David) Arris and Aminda (Rory) Ramig; granddaughters Nicole Lund, Veronica (Trevor) Kelson, Rebecca (Trevor) Bizicki, and Alina (Cameron) Podd; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service in honor of Mary Annis Arris will be held in September. In her memory, donations can be made to Mount Evans Hospice in Evergreen or the Birds of Prey Foundation in Broomfield.
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- Dignity Memorial: Mary Arris
- Wikipedia: Education
- Legacy.com: Mary Arris Obituary
- Google Search: Spirituality
- Dignity Memorial: Mary Arris
- Google Scholar: Education History
- Legacy.com: Mary Arris
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Great Depression
- Dignity Memorial: Mary Arris
- Google News: Education News
