Mary Ellen Weathers

Mary Ellen Weathers passed away peacefully on March 21, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Greeley, Co. Mary Ellen (Dennis) Weathers was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on May 22, 1938. She was an only child of Eva (Grant) Dennis and Henry J. Dennis. Mary Ellen attended public schools in Sheridan, and at the age of eight began to study of the violin with Mr. Steve Sabo.

Along with her studies of the violin, Mary Ellen enjoyed participating in dance lessons and dance recitals.  She was a featured dancer several times.

At the age of 18, Mary Ellen won the national competition on the violin, sponsored by the National Federated Music Club. For this honor, she was awarded a scholarship to Peabody School of Music in Baltimore. Mary Ellen attended the University of Wyoming (UW) in Laramie, Wyoming where she earned her BA with honor and MA degrees in music education. While attending UW, she was a member of the faculty string quartet.

Mary Ellen also had special study in music at the Eastman School of Music in New York state and Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. Additional study of the violin and chamber music was had with Arnold Steinhardt and other members of the Guarneri String Quartet in New York.

After graduation from UW, Mary Ellen soloed extensively around the United States and taught music in public schools in Oregon, Wyoming, and Colorado. In May of 1969, Mary Ellen married Don Weathers in Boulder, Co. where they met while teaching in the public schools. In the summer of 1970, she and Don moved to Yuma County on a farm eight miles east of Yuma. Both, Mary Ellen and her husband Don taught in the Yuma Public Schools. Mary Ellen lost her husband Don on May 31, 1977 due to a tragic farming accident.

The light of Mary Ellen’s life were her twin daughters, Eva and Ellen Dennis born on June 10, 1978. The twins were a gift from heaven bringing much happiness and joy in her life. Mary Ellen taught her twin daughters the violin. Other joys in her life were her grandson Elan, age 16 and her almost two-year-old granddaughter Serena. Mary Ellen taught her grandson the violin as well and he brought her great pride in his music accomplishments.  While teaching her grandson, Mary Ellen became involved in Texas style fiddle competitions and won many prestigious awards. Mary Ellen blessed Yuma County with her beautiful violin music both individually and with her daughters and grandson for numerous years.

While living in Yuma County, Mary Ellen operated a farm, raising cattle, hogs, corn and hay. One of her favorite places she enjoyed was her ranch. She found great satisfaction and peace in raising cattle. Mary Ellen also enjoyed antiques and had an antique shop for over 45 years in Yuma County area. She did numerous years in antique shows around Colorado and surrounding States. She was an active Member of Old Threshers where she ran the annual Antique Show and Fiddlers’ Show. Mary Ellen will be greatly missed as a loving mother, grandmother, violinist and friend.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her husband Don Weathers, parents Henry and Eva A. Dennis, aunt and uncle Leroy and Ethel Dukes, and daughter Ellen Dennis.

She is survived by her daughter Eva M. Dennis - Stahl, son-in-law Richard Stahl, grandson Elan Dennis and granddaughter Serena Stahl.

The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday March 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Yuma, Colorado officiating by Rev. Dr. Edie Gause.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.