Winifred Eileen (Singer) Morrissey

Winifred Eileen Singer Morrissey was born in Las Animas, Colorado in 1935 to Mildred Stoker Singer and Willis L. Singer and died on May 3, 2025 at the age of 90, at her home surrounded by her children.

A second-generation Coloradoan from immigrant English grandparents, Eileen grew up in Denver, graduating from East High School in 1953 and attending the University of Colorado where she studied education—a choice that would guide her throughout her life of educating and caring for children. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and maintained friendships with high school and college friends throughout her life.

She met her husband Michael F. Morrissey in 1951 at the Denver Dry Goods where they both worked retail and he impressed her with his ability to sell boy scout gear while she sold women’s sportswear. They had six children in ten years, many of whom continued to live near Eileen in Lakewood.

Through the American Christian Church, Eileen and her associates founded a homeless program at 18th and Clarkson where women and children could be safe. She and her group also started a ranch outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico to help get people back on their feet, breeding sheep dogs and beagles to support the ranch.

Children were special to Eileen, and she developed six childcare centers, the largest in Denver, for kids of working families. Her centers were unusual because they took care of infants.

Eileen also created a home for women with Alzheimer’s Disease in Lakewood, where the women were cared for in a safe and protected environment.

She called herself a “compassionate neighbor,” seeing a need and filling it. For her many accomplishments she received the Stellar Women award in 2010.

A savvy real estate investor, Eileen was a quietly determined woman who held her extraordinary family together with grace and generosity. She loved loud and crowded occasions at her home and supported each of her children’s dreams. She was dearly loved and will be missed. May she rest in peace.

Eileen is survived by her daughters Michaela and Marcella (Jerry), her sons Mitchell (Maggie), Michael (Candice), and Marcus (Stephanie), 13 grandchildren, and five (six in May) great-grandchildren. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband Mike, son Martin (Marlo) and brothers Ron and Ed Singer.