At the age of 30, Marie L. Anderson married William (Bill) Rivers Greenwood, age 23, on April 17, 1943. They went on to have four children, a girl and three boys. Mr. Greenwood always wanted the best for her and their family. "Everything we did was for us and almost everything we had was ours.  We made decisions together, shared problems and joys, solved our differences agreeably, and always presented a united front to our children," said Marie. "Dinnertime was family time when we communicated with each other - good, bad or indifferent. Life nor marriage is perfect, but solving problems and disagreements amicably accentuates the good and the understanding that strengthens love and respect in any relationship."

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Mrs. Greenwood put her teaching job on hold to raise her family. There were many family trips and adventures, including two World's Fairs (Seattle in 1962 and New York City in 1964). In September 1955, she returned to work as the first African-American teacher to be placed in an all white school in the history of the Denver Public Schools (Newlon School). The children grew and thrived, and eventually started their own lives. Mrs. Greenwood now has 6 grand children and 9 great grandchildren.

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Tragically, her husband died in a car accident on April 2, 1983. Mrs. Greenwood says about her marriage: “40 wonderful years of caring, sharing, and most loving companionship." She still wears her original wedding band, and she wears Bill's ring which he wore for 40 years.