Eileen Witt

Eileen Witt, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2023. We like to imagine that she was joyfully greeted with a good cup of hot coffee by her husband, Bill, who preceded her in death in January 2020. They were a loving team for nearly 70 years.

Mary Eileen Meckstroth was born in St. Marys, Ohio on August 4, 1926, to Theodore and Mary Meckstroth. During her early childhood she lived on a farm with her parents and two older siblings, before the family eventually moved into town. Eileen graduated from St. Marys Memorial High School in 1944 and from The Christ Hospital School of Nursing (Cincinnati, Ohio) in 1948, where she was a member of the final class of the U.S. World War II Cadet Nurse Corps.

Mom showed her adventuresome spirit throughout life. Her first big adventure away from St. Marys was a move to Washington, DC following high school graduation, where she worked as a clerk for the U.S. Department of the Navy. She returned to Ohio to begin nursing school in August 1945. During her nursing program, she traveled to Washington state and worked at the Tacoma Indian Tuberculosis Hospital.

Mom met Bill Witt on a blind date, set up by a nursing school friend. They were married on June 10, 1950 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, Eileen and Bill embarked on a lifetime of adventure. During the next 25 years, Dad’s career with Chevron Oil took them to multiple places in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Western Australia, before they settled in Littleton, Colorado in 1974. Mom made lifelong friends wherever they lived.

Mom worked at creating a happy and loving home for her family. Friends were always welcome, and were greeted with coffee and wonderful homemade baked goods. Mom enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining. She made special dinners for every family occasion, and hosted dinner parties with friends. These gatherings were accompanied by her infectious laughter. For years an embroidered picture hung in their house that captured her spirit: “No matter where I serve my guests, they always like my kitchen best.”

Eileen and Bill were active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Littleton for almost 40 years, where she served as a deacon and was involved in the Open Door Circle. Together they volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Eileen also enjoyed working part-time at The Denver department store for several years and at the Post Office within Ace Hardware.

Mom and Dad were avid travelers. They set foot on every continent except Antarctica, also visited numerous islands, and enjoyed countless road trips within the United States. Their adventures instilled a love of travel in their children.

Mom, affectionately called “Oma” by her family, was known for her steadfast love and her selflessness as a wife and mother. She is survived by her son, Bill, of Winterthur, Switzerland, and three daughters: Lorie Loar (Michael) of Littleton, Colorado; Nan Waugh (Jim) also of Littleton, Colorado; and Ellen Filley (Thomas) of Deer Park, Illinois. Oma was treasured by her grandchildren: Jesse Loar (Sierra), Tim Loar (Jen), Matthew Loar (Taylor Walle), Abigail Loar Crowe (Danny), Eleni Filley and Nathaniel Filley, and her five great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Carl Meckstroth, of Scottsdale, Arizona and her sister, Norma Lhamon, of St. Marys, Ohio.

A Memorial service to celebrate Eileen’s life is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, March 2 at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton. She will be buried beside Bill at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

Memorial donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Littleton http://littletonpresbyterian.org/ or Meals on Wheels.