Willa Eloise Curnow

Willa “Billie” Elwell Curnow, eldest daughter of William and Henrietta Elwell was born in Midwest, Wyoming on November 24, 1926 and ascended to her heavenly home on March 29, 2023. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband LeRoy Curnow, sister Ruth Elwell Goody and granddaughter Ashley Miller. Willa is survived by her sisters Cleo Elwell Bieri and H. Kay Elwell Wright, as well as her children David (Barbee) Curnow, Michael (Pam) Curnow, and Lori (Tom) Miller. In addition, her seven grandchildren, Anna Curnow, Nicole (Devin) Umscheid, Joshua (Carrie) Curnow, Sean (Jessica) Curnow, Seth Curnow, Jennifer (Matthew) Haynes and Alyse Miller, as well as six great-grandchildren, Leo Curnow, Camden Umscheid, Haddie Umscheid, Willa Curnow, Henry Haynes and Madison Haynes, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

After living in Midwest for a short time, Willa’s parents moved to Fort Collins, then Brighton, Colorado before finally settling in the Denver area. Willa attended Mitchell Elementary, Cole Junior High and graduated from Manual High School in June 1944. After, Willa went on to receive her Associate of Arts degree from Colorado Women’s College in Denver, graduating in May 1946. She then attended the University of Redlands in Redlands, CA where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree graduating in May 1948. Willa was extremely proud of being provided the opportunity to receive her college education, making the most of her opportunity to attend both CWC and Redlands. She especially enjoyed her time in the warmth of Southern California at Redlands, where even in her later years as her health declined, she could still rattle off the Redlands Och Tamale chant!

After college Willa returned to Denver and soon after married her long-time childhood friend and next-door neighbor, LeRoy Curnow on April 8, 1949. Their son David arrived in 1953, followed by Michael in 1957 and Lori in 1962. During these early years of her marriage, Willa worked in Personnel at Fitzsimmons and was extremely proud to have been part of founding and starting the Fitzsimmons Credit Union where she worked for many years. After many years of working at Fitzsimmons, she decided it was time to stay home and be a full-time mother to her children. As the kids became older, she started working various part-time jobs as a teacher’s assistant at Palmer Elementary and many years working at her church, Galilee Baptist in both the church office, as well as serving as a long-time Sunday School teacher. She and LeRoy both devoted countless hours, serving their church and their Lord as faithful servants as the treasurers at Galilee Baptist and Woodbine Ranch. Willa spent countless hours typing out hundreds of support checks to missionaries, paying staff payroll and bills to keep the lights on and the church in good financial standing.

Family, Faith, Friends, Music and Sports were the anchors of Willa’s life. Her family was the center of her world and she would drop whatever she was doing to be with her family or help in any way possible. Many a school term paper was beat out on an old manual typewriter for her kids, and countless hours were spent babysitting, cheering on children and grandchildren at baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse and swim meets. Her faith and service to her Lord was a cornerstone with weekly church attendance – both Sunday and in the middle of the week, Sunday School teacher, Choir member, ladies circle, vacation bible school teacher. Wherever she could serve, she did. Her friendship network was deep and vast from the many walks of her life, with regular lunches with girlfriends, tennis games, bowling, coffee, phone chats and check ins with friends – she modeled how to treat others and be a good friend. She maintained many deep friendships with people from her youth to the day her mind started to leave her. She loved music and singing and was involved in choirs throughout her youth to adulthood. She instilled the love of music to her children as well. The family piano became a centerpiece of joy to both her kids and her grandkids – even if it wasn’t always melodic notes being played! Willa was an avid Bronco fan and she and LeRoy held season tickets for many years and never missed a game – even if it was freezing cold! She would watch literally any sporting event on TV – especially if it sported Colorado or Denver in the name. Again, she instilled this same love of sports to her kids and grandkids! She regularly attended water aerobics at Greenwood Athletic Club and was known as the class timekeeper! She loved being active in any way she could. Willa was blessed with a long, full and beautiful life. She was deeply loved by her family and friends and she will be missed tremendously. But we find solace that she is now healthy and whole and her mind is clear. She is at peace sitting at the feet of her savior and reunited in glory with those who preceded her. Until we meet again.

Willa has been laid to rest with her loving husband LeRoy Curnow at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Memorial Contributions in Willa’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, May 21st at 2:00 pm

Castle Oaks Covenant Church

826 Park Street

Castle Rock, CO 80109

It will also be livestreamed via the below link

https://castleoakscovenantchurch.online.church/