Dorothy M. Mooney

Dorothy was born August 15, 1918 in rural Eastern Kansas, the Heartland of America. With the loss of her mother at age 12, she quickly had to learn the disciplines of cooking and housekeeping for her dad and younger sister, Alice. Soon after high school graduation, she met her future husband, Maurice Mooney while he was delivering milk, fresh from the cows, to her dad’s kitchen. Love bloomed fast that summer, and within a year, they eloped and moved to the big City of Denver upon the advice of Dorothy’s Uncle, Howard Kelly.

As was common in those days, Dorothy had her first child, Linda, at the tender age of 23, just as the United States involvement in WWII was evolving. And as experienced by so many young wives in that period, Maurice left for war in Europe to defend our democracy. She, along with Linda and her in-laws waited for long periods on a remote Kansas farm, for any word of his whereabouts and safety. Her deep concern for Maurice weighted down every moment of those years.

However, Life was full of possibilities and opportunities once democracy was won and Maurice returned from the war. Dorothy, Maurice and Linda traveled back to Denver to take advantage of a healthy economy and energetic hopes for the “good life”.

Life in Denver did turn out to be quite good, and in 1949 Mom gave birth to a second child, Michael. House ownership, along with 6PM martini’s, cars with big fins, summer family road trips across the county, Sunday church followed by fried chicken dinner, warm summer evenings with BBQs in the back yard with close friends, etc, all became standard for the Mooney family .

Dorothy absolutely embraced her role as devoted wife and parent! And no matter what daily life, or the ever changing moods of Maurice, brought her way, she never wavered in her devotion to her husband, her love and support for her children, her faith in God, her hospital volunteer work, her PTA participation and her joy for entertaining family and close friends. And also very importantly, she maintained a strong sense of humor (often at her own expense), ensuring everyone around her enjoyed the moment.

As Linda and Michael grew up and had their own children, her greatest pleasure was having her grand children come to Grandpa’s and Grandma’s to PARTY! Dorothy and Maurice loved to be with young people and seemed to maintain the same energy and interest in the “latest thing” as their grand children. And as much as they loved and were devoted to their own children, they also loved their grandchildren and great grandchildren with the same intensity and commitment.

As age and ailments took their toll, another partner in life, Patricia Vasquez, was added to Dorothy’s and Maurice’s mix. For more than ten years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Pat was as devoted and loving to Dorothy and Maurice, as they were to their own family. Pat maintained Dorothy’s and Maurice’s quality of life, literally to their last breath. God no doubt, sent Pat to the Mooney family. And they will be forever indebted to God and her for making Dorothy and Maurice’s later lives so safe and fulfilling. Pat will continue to always be a very important member of the Mooney family!

Although today brings sadness, it also brings joy and celebration of a life well lived, filled with love and devotion to the welfare of others. Her family experienced, through Dorothy’s deathly stroke and miraculous recovery, the wonders of what follows this existence. Through Dorothy, they caught a glimpse of what God has in store for us. It brought them all confirmation and peace.

Dorothy is survived by her loving family; daughter Linda L. McBurney, son Michael J. Mooney, grand-daughters; Laura & (Raymond) Goodrich, Brenda & (Ben) Gallegos, Jennifer & (Todd) McIlhenny, and Valerie & (Scott) Ray, also 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Maurice J. Mooney, grandson Scott McBurney, and a sister Alice Buchner.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 4pm to 7pm at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge. Services will be held on Thursday, June 7th, 2pm in the Pavilion of Reflection, located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery. Interment will follow at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery.