Mary Jane (Emry) Gauthier

Mary Jane Emry Sullivan Gauthier was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but arrived in Colorado when she was just a few weeks old. She grew up in and loved the Denver area where she was known by friends and family as Jane. She graduated from South High School before attending the University of Denver.

Jane became a World War II war bride on Christmas Eve in 1942 when she married Jack Sullivan. They had a daughter Kathleen who was born not long before Jack perished in action while serving in the European Theater.

In 1945, Jane met Cliff Gauthier at a close friend's home. They fell in love and were married on October 19, 1946. As an only child, she was delighted to become a part of the close-knit Gauthier Clan. Jane and Cliff were able to celebrate 67 wonderful years together before Cliff's death in 2013. They were always a team and you would never find one without the other. Jane and Cliff were die-hard Denver Bronco fans who could be found tailgating before every game and even managed to attend the 1987 Super Bowl. After retirement, they thoroughly enjoyed camping and fishing in Colorado with friends and traveled the world together with members of the Gauthier Clan. An Alaskan cruise was one of their favorite voyages.

Jane served as a school secretary in the Denver Public School system for over 25 years. She was loved by both teachers and students who still have shared memories of "Mrs. Gauthier in the office."

Jane was always an outstanding athlete. In the 1930's she was one of the members of the renowned Imperial Flyers acrobatic troupe that trained at the Denver Central YMCA. She also excelled in dance and taught various classes at the Florence Harrison School of Dance. Jane was always there to volunteer for and support her children's activities which ranged from Show Wagon summer performances in Denver parks to DU Hilltoppers swimming and diving, and high school and collegiate gymnastics events throughout the Rocky Mountain region. While at South High School, she held the girl's high jump record. At age 65, Jane decided to train for the Colorado Senior Games and went on to earn the gold medal in the high jump competition.

Jane enjoyed 95 memorable years filled with remembrances of a life well-lived. She was preceded in death by her mother Jessie Emry and her husband Cliff. She is survived by her children Kathy McBride of Colorado Springs, Cliff Gauthier, Jr (Linda) of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Scott Gauthier (Molly) of Sherando, Virginia as well as six grandchildren (Julie, Jeri, Mike, Wendy, Forest and Myles), eleven great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. No services are planned at this time. A memorial celebration of her life will be held this summer.