Marie Joanna Shew Massarotti, a life time Trinidad resident, entered Eternal Life on May 26, 2022 at the age of 91.
Marie was born on June 6, 1930 in Trinidad, CO, in the back of the Veltri grocery store on E Main Street. After graduating from Holy Trinity Schools, Marie went on to Loretta Heights College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Marie married the love of her life, Florie Massarotti on February 14, 1953 and they shared 69 years together.
Marie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and greatgreat grandmother. She modeled compassion, empathy, and unconditional love, which included tough love when needed. Marie provided her children with many opportunities that left them with lifelong memories and experiences that shaped them into the individuals that they are today. Above all, Marie was giving of herself to her family and to anyone she encountered. There wasnʼt a person Marie wouldnʼt help if she could and she instilled this sense of service to the community in each of her children.
Marie was passionate and dedicated to working with youth. She touched countless lives as a teacher, coach, mentor, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, and dance instructor. Marie taught a variety of subjects, including Social Studies, English, Band, and Physical Educationat Primero Schools and Trinidad Catholic Schools. She was instrumental in developing a K-12 P.E. program for students and was a pioneer for bringing Girls interscholastic sports to Trinidad Catholic. During her 50-year care eras an educator and a coach, Marie coached both junior and high school gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, and track and field.
In addition to working in education, Marie founded Jo Mar School of Dance and ran the studio for over 50 years. The number of students who she taught are too numerous to count and Marie exemplified the belief that her legacy is the lasting good of those that she taught. In addition to Jo Mar, Marie also started Trinidad Amateur Gymnastic Association (TAGA) and coached gymnasts who participated in C. A. R. A. Gymnastic competitions. Marie also coached and provided opportunities for area youth to participate in Hershey Track Events and the NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Contest. In recognition of her pioneering ability to provide equal opportunities for area youth and her longterm dedication for girlsʼ sports, Marie was inducted into the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame.
Marie was devout in her Catholic faith and an active member of her Holy Trinity Parish. She was an organist and a song leader and, when she was in high school, she played the organ for many of the churches in surrounding communities, as well as at services for other denominations. Her volunteer work in the community was recognized when she and Florie received the Centennial Citizen Award for Meritorious Service in 2009.
Whether Marie was teaching, coaching, or acting as a mentor and leader, Marie influenced those that she encountered by what she said, did, wrote, created, and shared. Marie left many with memories that are etched into the minds of those that she touched and are evidenced in the memories that they share about her. One such memory is from a former Girl Scout that recalled anyone who was in Marieʼs Girl Scout troop knew how to start a campfire. Marieʼs passion, character and faith will outlast her life and live in those that carry her legacy. Marie was preceded in
Marie was preceded in death by her parents James and Joanna (Veltri) Shew, her in-laws Biaggio and Anna (Gagliardi) Massarotti, and numerous aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her husband Florie, her brother and sister-in law Norbert and Marilyn Shew, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael and Sharon Massarotti, her children Jim Massarotti, Bill Massarotti (Phyllis), Paula Etl (Michael), and Andrea Jimenez (Joseph), 15 grandchildren, 17 greatgrandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and numerous nephews and nieces. Visitation will be Thursday,
Visitation will be Thursday, June 2, 2022 at the Comi Chapel from 3pm-7pm.
Funeral Services will be Friday, June 3, 2022 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Rosary at Noon followed by the celebration of the Funeral Massat 1pm.
Interment will follow at the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers: Bill Massarotti, Joseph Jimenez, Nick Massarotti, Michael Etl, Billy Jimenez, and Joshua Boxberger.
Honorary Pallbearers are Marieʼs former students, dancers and Scouts.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in her memory be made to Holy Trinity Academy at 200 Church St. in Trinidad.
Arrangement made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
