AUBURN — Marjorie A. Philippy DiRenzo, 78, a resident of Auburn, died Wednesday, June 16, in Auburn.

She was born Jan. 25, 1932, in St. Paul Minnesota, where she spent her childhood. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from McAlester College where she studied music and Spanish.

After college, she married and had three children; Don, Lynn and Laurie. She later returned to college to receive a degree in teaching from the University of Minnesota. Then, with her teaching degree in hand, she moved across the country with her three children to Auburn, where she quickly made countless lifelong friends as she embarked on a rewarding career of teaching. It was in Auburn where she met and married the love of her life, Michael DiRenzo.

Marj was a truly creative spirit. While she continually explored new art forms, painting was her passion. With the strokes of her brushes, she created colorful images of everything around us, from a rainbow of irises to crashing ocean waves. The world is a brighter place because of the many gifts she gave us, both in the form of her artistic creations and in the memory of her bright smile and the warmth of her presence.

All of us who spent time with Marj, whether enjoying a cup coffee, working together on a project, or spending hours walking the coastline in Cundy’s Harbor, appreciated her unwavering positivity, quick wit and the wisdom of her life experiences.

She is survived by her brother, James Philippy; son, Don MacMillan; daughters, Lynn Lepore and husband, Tony Lepore, and Laurie MacMillan; step-daughter, Linda DiRenzo and grandchildren, Mercedes Jeffers and Michael DiRenzo.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the wonderful staff of Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Auburn, for helping her pass with comfort, grace and dignity.