Marie Allport

Marie Agnes (Thiessen) Allport

On September 30, 2014, Marie passed peacefully in her sleep just before midnight in Evanston, Wyoming.  Marie was 86 years young.

Marie was preceded in death by her father, Bill Thiessen; her mother, Mary Thiessen; her sisters, Clara Reimer and Louise Wiebe; her brother, Albert Thiessen; her son, Duane Allport; her dog, Annie; and her cat, Reno.

Marie Allport was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on June 1, 1928.  She was the youngest child of Wilhelm (Bill) Theodore and Marie (Mary) Schultz Thiessen. She had 2 sisters, Louise Dora and Clara Marie, and one brother, Albert William.

Marie grew up in Dalmany, Saskatchewan living in the back of her father’s general store/post office. Her elementary education was in a one-room schoolhouse including grades kindergarten through 9th with her aunt as the teacher.  She always said it was hard to get away with any mischievous behavior.  Marie went to Rosthern Mennonite boarding school for her high school years and managed to kick her heels up sneaking out at night and back in the next morning undetected. She told stories of being fully clothed under her bathrobe during nighttime bed checks. Marie was a good student and graduated in 1946.  She went to nursing school at the University of Saskatoon graduating in 1950.

Marie married Frederick William (Bill) Allport September 11, 1952.  He was a 2nd year pre-med student, and she was a full-time private duty nurse.  Duane Leslie Allport was born May 26th, 1953 followed by Dean William Allport a year later on September 13th, 1954.  Marie spoke of a horrific train trip to British Columbia to see family with a toddler and baby in tow.  She said when one child wasn’t in need of changing, the other child needed to be fed and keeping Duane corralled between two facing seats was a constant challenge. Two years later, Debra Marie Allport was born June 28th, 1956.  Bill graduated as a doctor June 1959.

After practicing briefly in Rivers, Manitoba, the family moved to the States with Bill setting up practice in Towner, North Dakota. The family relocated to Portland, Oregon where Bill completed a Psychiatric Residency, and Dara Ruth Allport was born February 15th, 1966. The family moved to Reno, Nevada in 1968.  The family (except Dara) became U.S. citizens in 1972.  Marie and Bill were divorced in 1974, and Marie went to work at the Nevada State Hospital as a Psychiatric Nurse.

After working for 15 years, Marie retired and relocated to Evanston, Wyoming to be closer to her children and their families.  She became the “cool Grandma” who picked up her grandkids in a convertible wearing fun hats so your hair didn’t get messed up.  Marie loved to play bingo with the local TV station, and was amazed when she won $21,000 with a blackout! She enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening, and remodeling her over-a-hundred-year old house.  Marie’s creativity resulted in unlimited pairs of MC Hammer pants, knit washcloths, and crocheted purses made from grocery bags.

Marie loved nothing more than to spend time with her family cooking large meals and playing games or cards.  She was known as the “Silver Fox” at weekly Texas Hold ‘Em games with family and friends.  If she was betting, you better have something good in your hand!  Marie liked to “snow bird” in Houston with Dara and Wes during the winter months.  The rest of the time Marie lived in her own home until the last year when she moved in with Deb and Glen.

Marie was a sexy woman, fierce mother, genuine friend, and a free spirit.

Marie is survived by her son, Dean Allport and wife, Deborah (Grogan) Allport; her daughter, Debra Allport and husband, Glen Miller; her daughter, Dara (Allport) Carrow and husband, Wesley Carrow; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Allport; her grandchildren, William Charles Allport, Nicholas Christian Allport, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Allport, Jason Dean Allport, Rosemarie Allport (Miller) Branca, Cody Allport Miller and wife, Amy (Robinson) Miller; and her great grandchildren, Bradley Kainalu Allport and Kendalyn Rose Branca.

A celebration of life for Marie Allport is planned for Saturday, November 29th (Thanksgiving weekend) at the Purple Sage Golf Course from 4 to 10pm.  Please come join us to celebrate and honor an amazing woman.