Martha May Geolfos was born Martha May Lillard in Boulder, Co. November 12th, 1936. She passed away on October 6th, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s/Dementia and complications from embolisms.
Martha was “39” and holding as she liked to say. (84) Her humor and ability to make others laugh was one of her most renowned and beloved traits. She was the cast, crew and director, of many pranks. Including her famous sponge cakes, whoopee cushions, (homemade) fake dog poo, snipe hunts, and her favorite, fake spilled Pepsi. Her entire life was based on the premise of “be kind to others,” as they will be kind to you. She was generous to a fault, caring and attentive to all. Many times in her life she helped set up and run fundraising events for those whom had incurred a tragic event or were in need.
Martha lived on Grove St. in Boulder as a child, attended Casey Jr High, and graduated from Boulder High School in 1954. She married her husband, Dan Geolfos that summer. (Divorced in 1971). They had three children. The family lived in the little hamlet of Marshall just south of Boulder until moving into their new home at the corner of Madison Avenue and 37th Street in 1963. The family home was the neighborhood hangout because of Martha’s kindness and generosity. The home at that time was the eastern most in the City of Boulder!
She worked for the University of Colorado from 1968 until retiring in 1996. She started as a secretary in the finance department at Regent Administrative office, and went on to become the Administrative Director of the Fleming Law School at her retirement. The brilliance with which she ran the law school was constantly acknowledged by her peers. She cherished her time at CU and all the people she worked with over the years. She was an avid supporter of all things “Colorado Buffaloes.”
Martha’s hobbies included becoming a self-taught, incredible photographer. Just about anyone who knew her, has some of her pictures in their albums. In her younger years she was a wedding cake designer/maker. She made cakes for many of her sibling’s weddings along with all of her children’s weddings, friends, and the general public. As a baker she was supreme. Every year there was the family Christmas cookie day at her home. Close to a thousand cookies would be baked with her female family members on “cookie day.” This day was featured in the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper. She was a master “game player,” ie table games! Scrabble was her favorite, which she played very well, into her early 80s. Her favorite collection was her Pepsi Collection; which has over 5000 holdings! The collection was also featured in the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper.
Her most beloved time was spent with family and friends. She loved her home on Rainbow Way in Boulder. It was her 1 acre Sanctuary, overlooking her Flatirons and Baseline Lake. Spending time sitting around a campfire, swimming, boating and inner-tubing on Baseline Lake with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was her “heaven” on Earth. She was a willing participant of tube rides into her early 80s! Being a native to Boulder, her love of Boulder and Colorado shall never cease.
Martha was the greatest of fans for her entire family. She went to virtually every sporting event her children ever had. Even into her early 80s she was at every event including Colby’s fastpitch softball teams, games that were often played in miserable weather late into fall. The grandchildren were next in line for her “all encompassing” support for every sport imaginable. Then on to piano recitals, choral/choir events and Excalibur programs. Without a doubt this would have continued to the great grandchildren had Alzheimer’s not caught up with her.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, daughter in law Jana, son in law Charlie, and sister in law Judy. She is survived by her children Debra Lyn Geolfos, Tod Andrew Geolfos (Jana: deceased) and Colby Daniel Geolfos (Linda). She has 4 grandchildren, Angela Grosso-Burke (Patrick), Chelsea Abel (Riley), Candace Bassett (Scott) and Jennifer Grosso and 5 great grandchildren, Ace Abel, Jevi Abel, Lincoln Abel, Jeremiah Burke and Owen Bassett, who is due soon!
She is also survived by her beloved siblings, Deanna Mackie, Dick Lillard (Pam) Davey Lillard (Judy: deceased), Linda Lillard, Russell Warner (Chidapha) and Jaylyn Fultz. Also, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, including her beloved Betty. A special shout out and thanks to her dear friends, Marge, whom she loved so, Perky and Sissy! In addition a heartfelt thanks to the employees at Sunrise at Flatirons Memory Care Center in Broomfield. Your care and kindness made her end of life journey just a bit easier for her and her family! Also, to the Hospice Care Team from Elevations Hospice of Broomfield. With a special thanks to Brandy on Mom’s final day.
Our world is a better place thanks to you Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend! A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Research Project of your choice.
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