Marie Orvis Andrew

Andrew—Marie Orvis Andrew, 98, on July 30, 2023, peacefully, at MacKenzie Place retirement community in Colorado Springs, Colo. Marie was born on June 1, 1925, to Harold and Leora Orvis in New Jersey. She grew up with sister Barbara and brothers Harold and John just outside of New York City.

Marie began playing piano at an early age and enjoyed a lifelong love of music. She met her future husband, Jim Andrew, while attending Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., where she completed her undergraduate degree in piano performance. She went on to complete a master’s of music education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. Marie and Jim married in 1951. They lived in Buffalo, N.Y., where Jim pursued his doctorate in physics and Marie taught private piano lessons. They briefly lived in Brigham City, Utah, before settling in Los Alamos, N.M., in 1963. Jim was employed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for 23 years. The couple enjoyed a long and active retirement in Los Alamos.

A passionate teacher, Marie inspired generations of Los Alamos students through her thriving piano studio. She loved playing piano with friends in the Los Alamos Piano Group and was a member of the Vested Interests Two-Piano Quartet, which was among those who gave benefit concerts to acquire a new piano for the University of New Mexico–Los Alamos. Marie graciously played for many early morning Sunday services at the United Church of Los Alamos. She sang in the Los Alamos Choral Society and sometimes served as the group’s accompanist. She volunteered her talents as a rehearsal pianist for the Los Alamos Light Opera, frequently accompanied students for solo and ensemble recitals, and often played classical piano pieces during creativity nights at Intermountain Yearly Meeting gatherings.

Marie had a strong spiritual faith. Coming from a family of Quakers, she was an active member of Santa Fe (N.M.) Meeting, helped to found the Los Alamos Worship Group around 1970, and served as the contact person for the group. In the early 1980s, she served on the meeting’s Ministry and Oversight Committee. She also attended the United Church, and was involved in many of the activities there over the decades.

Marie was a founding member of the Barranca Mesa Pool Association, where, until the age of 92, she swam at 6:00 a.m. each morning during summers. She also enjoyed frequent workouts at the Los Alamos Fitness Center with Jim, as well as walking, hiking, and gardening.

Marie loved connecting with people. Her openness, big heart, and gentle sense of humor endeared her to all who knew her.

Marie spent her last six years in a retirement facility in Colorado Springs, near her daughter, Nancy. When she could, she attended Colorado Springs Meeting with Nancy.

Marie was predeceased by her husband, Jim Andrew, in 2016; a sister, Barbara; and two brothers, Harold and John.

She is survived by three children, Nancy Andrew, Kathy Andrew, and Emmy Andrew Ratliff; and three grandchildren.