Denise Marie Magley

Denise Magley, born Denise Marie Bosnak in 1950 in Redondo Beach, California, to Carmen and Robert Bosnak, passed away on February 27th in the comfort of her own home. She was a devoted mother, sister, wife, grandmother, teacher, gardener, artist, and dear friend whose life was rooted in care, creativity, and the joy of growing beautiful things.

Denise grew up in Redondo Beach, California, spending cherished time with her Auntie Lillian and Auntie Dona Gene. As the eldest of seven children, she became a caretaker from the very beginning, learning early how to nurture, protect, and guide others. At heart, she was always a California girl—attending Catholic school during the week and spending her weekends on the beach—already planting the seeds of the life she would later grow with intention and love.

In 1970, Denise married the love of her life, Gerald Magley, at St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach. Together, Denise and Gerry began their life in Colorado, where they both attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Denise earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art along with a K–12 Teaching Certificate in Art Education. Her life’s work became a blend of artist and gardener—cultivating creativity, patience, and confidence in everyone she taught.

Denise devoted over 30 years to teaching art in Northern Colorado, earning many awards for her dedication to students and the arts. She believed deeply in the power of art to help people grow. Her classroom was a place where ideas took root, talents blossomed, and young artists learned to see the beauty in themselves and the world around them. Her advocacy for art education was another way she tended the larger garden of her community.

Above all, Denise’s greatest garden was her family. The love she gave her three children—Jessica Magley, Matt Magley, and Sara Kramer—was immeasurable. She was the heart of the home, creating a space where people felt welcomed, valued, and cared for. Just as she shaped her artwork and tended her plants, she shaped her home with patience, warmth, and devotion.

Denise retired from the Thompson Valley School District after 32 years of dedicated service. In retirement, her love of creating turned fully toward her backyard, which became her living canvas. Through countless hours of labor, Denise transformed her garden into a place of peace and joy—a space that welcomed birthday parties, weddings, graduations, and countless family gatherings. The beauty she grew there was not only seen in flowers and trees, but felt in the laughter, connection, and memories shared beneath them.

One of Denise’s most treasured roles was being a grandmother. Denise and Gerry were blessed with three grandchildren: Dylan Kramer, Alana Kramer, and Emily Magley. She delighted in spoiling them with treats and special surprises and cherished time spent playing with them in the backyard she so lovingly cultivated. To them, her garden was a place of wonder—where snacks appeared, games were played, and love grew freely.

Denise also cultivated deep and lasting friendships throughout her life. She found community and support through her women’s group, her prayer group, and her STIR artist group, where creativity and connection flourished side by side. Her coworkers, especially those she taught alongside for many years, became more like family—sharing not only classrooms and lesson plans, but life’s joys, challenges, and celebrations. Denise had a gift for making people feel included, seen, and valued, and her friendships were an extension of the same care she gave to her family and students.

Denise is survived by her children, Jessica Magley, Matt (Christy) Magley, and Sara (Bradley) Kramer; her grandchildren, Dylan Kramer, Alana Kramer, and Emily Magley; her siblings, Patty Bailey, Roxanne Shaw, Mathew Bosnak, and Greg Bosnak; and her nieces and nephews, Christa Shaw, Brian Shaw, Britney Amadio, Brianne Bosnak, Jesse Bosnak and David John (DJ) Bosnak.

Denise Magley will be remembered as an artist who created with her hands, a gardener who grew beauty from the soil, a teacher who cultivated generations of students, a mother and grandmother who planted the seeds of generations of love. Most of all, she will be remembered for the way she nurtured everyone around her. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she raised, the students she inspired, and the garden of love she leaves behind.

A Celebration of Life and Light Refreshments will be held at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont, CO 80501, on March 9, 2026, at 4:00 pm.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Huntington's Disease Society of America at 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1402, New York, NY 10018.