WESTERMAN, Marie M.

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, October 05, 2011 Marie M. Westerman, 88, resident of Wickenburg since 1978, died Monday, Sept. 26. Marie passed after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She had many friends in the Wickenburg and Phoenix areas. She was born June 1, 1923 in Flint, Mich., and grew up in the Detroit area. She was a model for Hudson’s Department Store, Montgomery Ward Catalogue, and other fashion outlets into her 50s. She operated a modeling agency in Scottsdale. During World War II, she bailed out of a B-17 bomber over the Gulf of Mexico. When she did this, she pulled the air-sea rescue dye before she reached the water, and it caused her to be colored green for several days. She was an interior designer, a seamstress, and clothing designer. She opened and operated the Village Florista, the first flower shop in Carefree. She was a charter founding member of Soroptimists in Carefree. She invented plant sticks of fertilizer, which she patented and marketed. Marie is survived by her husband Raymond S. Westerman of Wickenburg, daughter Linda DeVlieg of Albuquerque, son CLif DeVlieg of Sun City, stepdaughter Tammy Bennett of Wickenburg, stepson Phillip Westerman of Scottsdale, and stepson Bruce Westerman of Florence. She was Grandma to three granddaughters in Arizona and Israel, two grandsons in Arizona and Texas, and a great-granddaughter in Arizona. No public services are planned. Her remains will be interred at the Prescott National Cemetery in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either Alzheimer’s Association, 1028 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006, or Hospice of the Valley, 510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. The family is grateful to Banner Alzheimer’s Residence in Peoria for their compassionate care. Arrangements are under the care of David’s Desert Chapel of Wickenburg.