Mildred Malarsie Morrissey

Mildred Allien Burr Malarsie Morrissey was born on August 15, 1921 in Moab Utah the only daughter of Lester and Eliza Bacharach Burr, descendants of early Utah pioneer families. She passed away on May 20, 2017, just 3 months short of her 96th birthday.

Allien spent her early years divided between Moab in the winters and summers on a ranch at the foot of the LaSal Mountains with her parents and brothers. She attended school in Moab, graduating from high school in 1939. After attending Carbon College in Price, UT, she returned to work in Moab. Allien and her lifelong friend, Ruth Brown, met two New Jersey CCC boys, John Malarsie and Frank Lambo, and the foursome dated and eventually were united in a double wedding ceremony in Moab on June 14, 1941.

Following John’s release from the CCC’s the couple went to San Francisco to work and were there when Pearl Harbor was attacked. They returned to Moab where Allien stayed while John went back to New Jersey to work in the shipyards. Following the birth of their first son, Frank John, Jr., Allien and her baby joined John in New Jersey. When John enlisted in the United States Army and was shipping overseas, Allien returned to Moab where their daughter, Karyl Ann (Kally), was born. After John’s Army service and another short stay in New Jersey, the couple returned to Moab for the birth of their second son, George Alan. Then in 1949, the little family moved to Durango. In 1952, the couple purchased a home on East 5th Street and their third son, Jim, was born and completed the family. Allien lived in this home until her death.

Allien was a lifelong member of the LDS church. She was a wonderful friend to many and a blessing to her family and all who knew her. She had a tremendous capacity for love, freely given and loved by many in return. She was a fierce protector, a homemaker, a fabulous cook, a gifted writer and poet, quick to laugh or to offer a sympathetic ear, a friend to all. She loved gardening, especially flowers, and always had a beautiful garden as long as she was able to care for it. She enjoyed reading and telling funny stories or singing songs to her children and grandchildren. She loved her family, the United States of America, John Wayne, cowboys, the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies and seldom missed a game on television. Attending a Rockies game at Coors Field with her 25 family members for her 89th birthday was a hightlight for her. She was a charter member at the VFW Auxiliary #4031, a champion of veterans and proudly flew her flag at home. Allien’s second husband, John (Moe) Morrissey was a career Navy retiree, who shared her patriotic feelings.
Allien was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, Leo, Cecil, Bob and Max Burr; her husbands; and many close friends and family members.

She is survived by her brothers, Tom and Jim Burr, her three sons, John (Marie), George (Mary), and Jim (Roxann) Malarsie, and her daughter, Kally Casebier, 23 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces nephews and friends.

There will be an open house at the VFW, 1550 Main Avenue, Durango, on July 15, 2017 from 10am to 2pm in celebration of Allien’s life. A graveside service and burial of cremains will be held in Moab, Utah on August 12, 2017.