Obituary of Marilyn Kay Holliday

Marilyn Kay Holliday, 75, a longtime resident of Cheyenne Cañon in Colorado Springs, passed on September 11, 2016, at home surrounded by family.A Colorado native, Marilyn was born May 14, 1941, in Sterling to the late Dr. Harold J. and Selma M. (Pagenkopf) Ollhoff. She graduated from Sterling High School (1959) and completed her B.A. in Elementary Education at UNC in Greeley (1963). She enjoyed Greek life as an Alpha Sigma Alpha. She married a fellow teacher, the late Richard "Dick" Holliday, with whom she raised two daughters, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2014.Marilyn taught for over twenty years, starting at Mark Twain Elementary (District 11) and retiring from Cañon Elementary (District 12). Her life-long passion was people. A gifted teacher, she taught hundreds of children the value of their self-worth and shared their unbridled curiosity about the world. She touched many with her ability to listen in earnest, offer wise counsel, and restore faith in oneself no matter the transgression or wound. To know Marilyn was to know a bright spirit with a touch of whimsy. Good food, clever conversation, and boundless humor were offered to all those in her home and heart. An avid art lover, she served as a docent at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. She continued to appreciate art and architecture, especially that of the American Southwest, throughout her life. She had an eye for beauty and style. She also relished traveling; Santa Fe was a favorite destination.She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (Mark) Sauer of West Linn, Oregon, and Joanna (Robin Slaton) Holliday of Fort Collins, Colorado. She adored her three grandchildren, Lauren, Aidan, and Addison. She was beloved by her cousin, Deanna Rundle of Clay Center, Kansas, and extended members of the Holliday family. A loving person, she brightened our lives and will be deeply missed. Many thanks to those who made her life extraordinarily beautiful.At her request, a private memorial will be held. Memorials may be made in Marilyn's memory to Friends of Cheyenne Cañon; Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center; or the Kidney Cancer Association.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Sunday, September 25, 2016 12:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855