Marie Davidson-Dapolito

Marie was born October 29, 1950, in Chicago, Il. Her parents were Howard Clayton Davidson and Beulah Marie Williams. When she was three months old, they moved to Churchville in upstate New York. At age five, Maire had to give up her ice skates as the family moved to Margate, Florida. Marie could always be found at the Margate pool every day all day long swimming and swimming some more. Marie graduated from Pompano Beach Senior High School in 1968.

Marie landed in Clearwater/Dunedin, Florida. She went to St. Petersburg Junior College and earned her R.N. in 1981. She began working in Psychiatry at Mortan Plant Hospital in Clearwater until 1988 when she began working at the Salisbury, VA in Salisbury, North Carolina.

In July 1989, Marie made a great decision when she relocated to Grand Junction and began work on 3P at the Grand Junction VAMC. Marie earned her BSN from Mesa State University in 1993. In 1999, she earned her MSN- family nurse practitioner from the University of Colorado. She then began working at Colorado West Mental Health working with children, plus adjunct instructor in nursing psychiatry at Mesa State until 2011 when she retired.

Marie will always have a place in her heart for Vietnam Veterans and all children.

In 2015 Marie and Bobby came a whisker away from relocating to Veno Beach, Florida, however, Marie could not bring herself to leave Grand Junction.

“I can’t leave the sounds of trains echoing in this beautiful valley… it would haunt me forever.”

Marie loved her kitties and hound dog, Buddy. She loved her morning tea at the deck looking at the Mesa and Monument, her lilacs, roses, lilies, and azaleas, and yes! the smell of a good cigar. She loved Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Roy Orbison, Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Bob Hope, Gene Kelly, Bugs Bunny, Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, Star Trek, and the Miracle Worker (Marie had a special spot in her heart for Helen Keller). She enjoyed the Ghost and Mrs. Muir, My Fair Lady, Weathering Heights, the Verdict, the In-Laws, and Dracula (1979). Yogi Berra, “Say Hey”, Willie Mays, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Augusta National, 1985 Chicago Bears, Avalanche Hockey, and the Florida Gators. Marie learned to embrace Alabama Crimson Tide Football and Hounds Tooth Hat.

Marie was active with St. Jude Hospital as PCA.

Maire was a devoted and dedicated wife to Bobby for 44 years. Marie always said her greatest accomplishment was being a mother to our daughter, Deanna Kathleen. Marie was always proud of her. Marie loved our other daughter Lindsay Callahan who always advocated for Marie. Marie’s siblings are Michael, Kathleen, Christopher (Deceased) and Tommy.

Marie was neighborly and believed in grace.

Marie was blessed to have worked with friends and colleagues from the Junction VA.

All will be in her heart.

Marie will be missed, and she will have a special place in our hearts.