Mary Katherine Keiran

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mary Katherine Keiran on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The injuries she sustained in an automobile accident were too numerous and catastrophic for her to recover from. As in both life and death, her daughter, Shannon was also at her side, never to be separated.

Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Friend: Mary left us too soon, leaving us wanting more time, more adventure, more of her happiness in the life she was living. Another Mahjong game would not go amiss!

Along with her husband, Erik Bernstein, she was a rabid Broncos fan (as well as most football in general). They loved going to games together. Never interrupt her on game day!

Mary and Erik were together for a short 7-1/2 years. She moved into Erik’s house at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and their quarantine together led to a deep and lasting bond.

Following the pandemic, Erik showed Mary as much of the world as he could cram into their calendar. She had a thirst for adventure and travel as they were always on the go – cruising Europe, Scandinavia, the Caribbean. They enjoyed Mexico with family, and he delighted in showing her Hawaii, where they honeymooned. Traveling to family events. She loved the theater and as many concerts as she could get on her already busy schedule.

Mary was born at Exeter Hospital, Exeter, NH on April 29th, 1966. She was the 7th child of an already boisterous family spearheaded by her parents – Alan and Barbara Keiran.

In 1975, she landed in Prior Lake, Minnesota with her family, finishing both grade school and Jr High. In 1980, the family moved once more – this time to land in Boulder, Colorado where she attended and graduated from Boulder High School.

After a short stint in the Navy, she met and married her first husband, Steve Scott, in 1991. Thus began her love of travel heading to Boston, Greece, Guantanamo Bay and landing in Tampa, Florida where she gave birth to her daughter Shannon, on August 20, 1996. These adventures were all courtesy of her husband’s career in the US Navy. She thrived on meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. In 1998, they came back to Colorado, settling in Longmont where she raised Shannon. In helping her navigate life, Mary became actively involved in the Autism community, working with a group of parents to create a handbook on how to navigate the “System” with an Autistic Child. They called themselves The Cadre.

While doing this, she also had an accounting career that spanned 15 years at various companies in the Boulder area.

Mary’s lifelong love of horses became her daughter’s as well. She and Shannon became steadfast friends of the Therapeutic Riding Community and settled at “Rhythm of the Horse” in Weld County, in recent years.

As life does, Mary found herself starting over and met her future – a gentleman by the name of Erik Bernstein in 2018. In 2021, they married and their adventures begun. She embraced Erik’s family with great affection and love – calling Erik’s mother-P Mom and overjoyed at the news of a grandchild on the way.

Mary’s passing brought hope to others as she qualified as an organ donor through the Donor Alliance Denver. She brought new life and hope to 5 individuals who received her healthy organs.

In April 2001, Mary lost her brother, Mark . Her parents also predeceased her. Father – Alan Keiran, Jan 2017, Mother – Barbara Keiran, May 2021 and her daughter, Shannon on January 4th, 2026.

She is survived by her husband: Erik Bernstein of Longmont, Co. Siblings: Michael Keiran (Brenda) Of Alton, NH, Christine Wilson of Longmont, Carol Karim (Saeed) of Niwot, Alan Keiran (Mary Jane) of Lakeville, MN, Scott Keiran of Greenland, NH. Nieces – Zoe Wilson (Clark Sperry) of Arvada, Morgan Wicker (Ryan) of Longmont, Samantha & Madison Keiran of Ipswich, Mass. Nephews: Michael (Jill), Thomas and Danny of Lakeville Minnesota. Allison Snierson (Jessica) of Derry, NH, Jessica Meehan (Timothy) of Kingston, NH and her Mother-in-Law, P-Mom: Paula Bernstein of Denver. In addition to Shannon, Mary had three stepdaughters: Stephanie Scott of Greeley, Sara Carreker (Tyrone) of Nashville, and Sophia Bernstein of Denver. She also had a grandson, Wyatt Fritzler, Stephanie’s son.

Her tribe was many and growing! A life cut short too soon……

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, February 15 at 4:00pm at the Boulder Jewish Community Center, 6007 Oreg Ave. in Boulder.

Please click on link to RSVP:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoyUjOvhCe0RWBsfifaaVMM9H9xKCeCfpCU722dLCt7nn3EQ/viewform

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to:

Rhythm of The Horse: www.rhythmofthehorse.org

Upside Collective: www.upsidecollective.org