Cornish, N.H. —
Marie was born on Oct. 20, 1927, at home in Colrain, Mass. to Catherine Lane Shippee and Amasa Darling Shippee. She is a graduate of Arms Academy, class of ‘44. Coming from a talented musical family, Marie was a gifted singer, singing on the radio as a child, and, later as a teenager she made recordings with several band orchestras.
Marie met her husband just after WWII while singing with a big band orchestra. He had just returned from intense Army Infantry combat in Western Europe, including D-Day & Battle of the Bulge. Fresh from the war he decided to resume his prewar possible career as an alto sax/clarinetist. Like Marie, his family was full of talented musicians, and, he had a Boston big band leader as a father, Perley Stevens.
On Feb. 26, 1948, Marie married her husband, then Sgt. Alanson P. Stevens III, of Boston, Mass. They were married at the 82nd Airborne Chapel, Fort Bragg, N.C. After a few parachute “close calls,” and a baby on the way, they decided to leave, “The 82nd,” and move to Hanover, N.H., where husband, Al, entered Dartmouth as a freshman on the G.I. bill. They began their family there, and forever had very fond memories of Hanover.
Four years later, they moved on to Yale graduate school in New Haven, Conn., with four children, and, a few years later moved to Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., with their fifth child. Her husband, Al, had been offered a position teaching Russian & German, at the Academy.
Marie was recruited to become the Secretary to the Academy and to assist the director of foundations with fundraising. She later chose to be closely involved with the phenomenal music department at Phillips Academy, and, transitioned to become assistant the chairman of the music department. She enjoyed every minute of her time spent with the music department until the day they moved away. In many ways, it truly fulfilled her love of music.
Marie and her husband both retired from Phillips Academy Andover in June of 1986, when they returned back to their favorite area of the country near Dartmouth College. They found a beautiful antique (1780s) home in Cornish, where they lived most happily for 31 years, creating a world of wonderful memories.
Marie continued to use her organizational skills as VP of the Cornish Historical Society for several years. She was instrumental in saving and restoring the 1912 Elmhurst Barn on the Cornish Recreational Property. It is known as, The CREA Barn. Marie would have loved to know that the historic, “CREA Barn,” would always be maintained for future generations to enjoy and use for recreational/educational purposes.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The CREA Barn Fund, at the Cornish Town Hall, Cornish, NH, 03745.
Marie is survived by her husband and four of her children; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A private family service was held.
She is missed dearly by her family and friends. Her honest, direct, but gentle manner, and, her lovely smile and singing around the home will remain in our hearts forever.