Mary Nanette Adams

Mary Nanette (Nan) was born on January 2, 1931, to Walter E. Petticrew (1896-1965) and Lecil M. Hopper Petticrew (1909-1997).

Nan is survived by her second husband of 43 years, Monte Adams: children Kelly (Dave) Dunham and Kirk (Gerri) Stevens; stepchildren Lori (Ken) Claussen and Jeff (Kim) Adams; grandchildren Brandon (Tori) Stevens and Shannon Stevens; step grandchildren Megan Claussen, Breanne (Clayton) Boozer, Kesley (Ryan) Molaskey, and Weston (Stephanie) Adams; and eight great grandchildren.

Nan and her parent’s first home was in Denver where Nan attended Thatcher Elementary for two years. She loved to roller skate around the city block and tried her hand at the piano. The Petticrew family then moved to Littleton and raised chickens for two years. Nan loved playing with the baby chicks, making pets out of them. The family then moved to Wheat Ridge where Nan finished her school years. They had a cherry orchard and Nan’s favorite thing to do was to swing and climb large trees. Life in Wheat Ridge was good, with involvements in Methodist Youth Fellowship, Jobe Daughters (Honored Queen), Majorette in the high school band, and working at the Denver Dry Goods. Nan also enjoyed spending time at the Ballroom at Elitch Gardens – she loved to dance.

Nan attended Denver University on a Methodist Church Scholarship. Her parents bought her a 1931 Ford Model A to drive to school – a car that she wishes she had kept! Before finishing school Nan married Chuck Stevens, her high school sweetheart in 1952. Chuck joined the Navy and was stationed at Coronado Island, California. When Chuck was sent to Guam, Nan returned to Denver to finish her college degree in elementary education. After Chuck’s time in the Navy, Nan started her teaching career while Chuck finished his degree. Both taught in Denver Public Schools.

In 1958 Nan gave birth to her first child, Kelly Lynne, followed by Kirk Hilton in 1960. Besides attending all their school activities, the family spent their time skiing, camping, and traveling.

Nan’s teaching career started at Rosedale Elementary (third grade), followed by helping to open Bradley Elementary, and spending her last twenty-two years at Eagleton Elementary teaching mostly Early Childhood Education. She retired in 1986 but her passion for working with children continued as a volunteer.

Nan and Chuck divorced in 1979. She was adjusting to single life when she crossed paths with Monte Adams, a fellow teacher, taking recertification courses together. Their romance started by attending a Christian Singles Church Service and the rest is history, marrying in April of 1982.

Since retirement, the two have lived in Denver, Breckenridge, Evergreen, Littleton, Aurora, and Thornton. The Evergreen house was by far Nan’s favorite. They have spent their retirement years traveling in their recreational vehicle or by air, visiting all fifty states! They also wintered for fifteen years in Tucson Arizona with lifelong friends. Nan also spent her retirement years reading to elementary children, creating pottery (she has a love of southwestern art and jewelry), and teaching herself a variety of forms of jewelry making.

She had a wonderful life filled with lots of family and friends and will be missed. A service celebrating Nan’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11:00am, at Olinger Funeral Home and Cemetery – Crown Hill. Following the service lunch will be provided. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen at www.komen.org.

A Memorial Service will be held at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery in the Serenity Pointe room, located at 7777 West 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, United States. The service is scheduled for December 23, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Following the funeral service, a luncheon will take place at the same location from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.