Stephanie Mary Morse, 53, formerly of Ayer.

AYER: Stephanie Mary Morse, 53, of Aurora, Colorado, formerly of Ayer, passed away on May 21, 2025. She was born on June 22, 1971 in Ayer, Massachusetts. Stephanie is survived by her father, Donald A. Morse and his wife, Marcia Walsh, of Wareham, Massachusetts; her sister Jennifer Martinez and her husband Roberto; nieces Brooke Martinez of Fredonia, New York, and Danielle Martinez of Shirley, Massachusetts. Stephanie leaves behind her aunts and uncles; Daniel M. and Patricia Peters (Sullivan), and Thomas and Diane Keenan (Noe), as well as many cousins. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Carolyn D. (Noe) Morse, of Waltham, Massachusetts, and grandmother, Marie F. Landry, of Ayer, Massachusetts. In her youth, Stephanie was a communicant of St. Mary Catholic Church where she was part of the Catholic Youth Organization and St. Mary’s Minstrel shows. She loved being a Broncos cheerleader, a mascot for the Ayer High School marching band, and a Girl Scout. Stephanie graduated from Ayer High School in the Class of 1989 where she played flute in the marching band and was involved in student government, yearbook photographer, and many school activities. She then attended Mount Wachusett Community College and transferred to Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas, studying Anthropology and English Literature. Although Ayer, Massachusetts was her childhood hometown, she spent most of her life living in Texas, Oregon, and finally settling in Colorado. Stephanie built her own life and circle of friends with support from her “ride or die” dear friend, Victoria Broussard and Victoria’s son, Greyson, as well as her friend Kevin Cook. Throughout the years she still stayed in touch with, and held many Ayer friends, near to her heart. Stephanie was a very creative person, especially in photography, writing, cooking, fashion, sewing, and decorating. She researched genealogy and was very proud of her Irish and French-Canadian heritage, as reflected in her cooking, writing, and in the tartans that she wore with beauty and pride. Having traveled throughout the United States, both with her family and in her adult life, Stephanie gained a deep appreciation of nature and captured it in her photography. As a professional freelance photographer (as Stephanie Colorado, PhotosByStef, Master 22 Photography), Stephanie’s portfolio included photos birds, flora, landscapes, families, events, product marketing, musicians, and album covers. She was a Getty Images contributor and published a coffee table book, First 100: My Photography Journey, a compilation of Stepanie’s first 100 photographs approved by Getty Images. She was also featured in Defined magazine’s Celebration of Ages, 16th edition. She authored several books (under pen name Stephanie Colorado): Generations Under One Roof, a story of Irish immigrants and their journey escaping the Irish famine, chasing dreams and the harrowing pursuit of the "American Dream". In the Kitchen with Steph: My Cooking Journey (Vols. 1 and 2), a two-volume set of cookbooks of her recipes collected and perfected from her travels, her mother, and great grandmother, passed down through the generations. Daily Journal: A Journey to Mindfulness & Personal Growth, a minimalist journal designed to help you cultivate a daily habit of self-reflection and introspection. Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, Route 2A, Ayer, Massachusetts, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ayer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Stephanie’s memory to the National Audubon Society (https://www.audubon.org) or 100Cameras (https://www.100cameras.org).

Tributes

Stephanie Mary Morse, 53, formerly of Ayer.

June 22, 1971 - May 21, 2025