Marie P. Kohrs

Marie Patricia Kohrs, a beacon of love and kindness, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025 at the age of 89, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on August 7, 1935, Marie’s life was filled with love, happiness, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

She is reunited in peace with her son Brian Kohrs, parents Margaret and Robert Watson, brother Paul Watson, and sister Eileen. She leaves behind her devoted husband Leland, her children Kathleen Bruner (David), Bob (Linda), Roger (Ellen), Tom (Annette), and John (Leigh); her grandsons Robert (Denise), Jacob, Brian, Holden, and Lucas; her granddaughters Megan (Stuart), Britlin, Ashley, Lauren and Sophia; her precious great-grandchildren Lux, Charlotte, Hank, Stevie Rae, and Emmylou; and Charlie, Lee and Marie’s faithful four-legged companion.

Marie was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier elementary school, Xavier College Preparatory, and Phoenix College, and was a life-long parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix.

From childhood days filled with horseback rides along the bridle path, square dancing with friends, lunches on front lawns in Encanto-Palmcroft, and afternoons spent swimming at the park, Marie’s spirit embodied adventure and enthusiasm, always eager to embrace life’s experiences with joy and curiosity. She carried that same spirit into adulthood, marrying her beloved Leland in 1956 and nurturing a family that became her greatest source of happiness. As a devoted mother to six children, doting grandmother to ten, and an adoring great-grandmother to five, she embodied the heart of her family and extended her warmth to countless friends and neighbors who saw her as their honorary Mom and Grandma.

Life at the Kohrs household was never dull. Marie balanced the whirlwind of motherhood with grace as she effortlessly switched from carpool driver to homeroom mom, from field trip chaperone to Cub Scout den mother, from swim meet timer to church volunteer, always with an abundance of beaming smiles and encouraging words. The dinner table was filled with stories of the day’s adventures from her enthusiastic children and often their friends too.

After her children left home to start families of their own, Sundays became a cherished tradition as her children and grandchildren gathered to share meals and a badminton match on the front lawn or tried to hit Grandma’s devastating pitches in a spirited game of wiffleball.

When she wasn’t at home, she could be found cheering on the sidelines of her grandchildren’s sporting events, strolling through the park, hiking the mountains, or savoring the peaceful beauty of San Diego’s Mission Beach. As her family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren grew steadily over the years, she always found time to listen to stories of their adventures for hours and hours.

Marie’s legacy lives on in the example of faithfulness, kindness, generosity, and selfless living she leaves for her family. Her unwavering faith and joyful spirit remain an enduring example for her family to carry forward. And if you find yourself saying a Hail Mary when passing an auto accident, having fun while pulling weeds, believing running in the rain helps you “grow an inch,” or thinking you might end up “full of holes” if you cheat in cards, you can thank Grandma Marie for your lifelong wisdom.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Marie’s beautiful life at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, on Friday, May 30 at 6 pm. A funeral Mass will be held at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, on May 31 at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Ryan House, a Hospice of the Valley facility, at ryanhouse.org (https://ryanhouse.org/donate/)