Ann Irene Starbuck

A native of Southern California, born to Bernard and Theresa (Manning) Meith, Ann was the older sister to three brothers, John, James (“Jim”), and Robert (“Bob”). She adventurously left home to attend college at Loretto Heights College in Denver, CO, where she earned a Bachelors of Nursing in 1961. At a mixer dance with Regis College, Ann met her lifelong love, Dennis Starbuck. The two married after college graduation and remained devoted to each other for more than 63 years.

Ann worked as an obstetrics RN until starting her own family in 1963. Settling in Southern California, she dedicated herself to her husband and young family of four children. Ann was a loving, fun, bold, and energetic mother, going on numerous camping trips, moving to Canada for three years (for Dennis’ job), and spending weeks every summer at the rustic family cabin near Estes Park, CO.

After 14 years of dedicated motherhood, Ann juggled school and homelife in order to renew her RN license. To accommodate both family and career, Ann took a job with the Garden Grove Unified School District, where she worked for more than 20 years evaluating and supporting special needs children throughout the district, as well as making lifelong friends.

In 2000, Ann and Dennis followed their hearts to Estes Park, where Ann quickly assimilated into the community via the Newcomers’ Group. She kept busy with friends, a bridge group, her church (Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church), drives through RMNP, reading books with strong female protagonists, and season tickets at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater and Central City Opera House. Ann also gave much of her time to numerous volunteer activities. In particular, Ann enjoyed and was proud of her work with the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), chapter IU, “where women motivate, educate and celebrate women.”

Ann was an admirably strong woman who overcame serious health setbacks and injuries while keeping her positive and caring demeanor. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers John and Bob. Her surviving family includes her beloved husband, Dennis, her cherished children–Michael Dennis (Kathryn Kates Starbuck), Alan Joseph (Ann Partrich Starbuck), Andrea Marie (Brian Brotherton), and Jennifer Lyn (Christian Bomberger)–and her seven precious grandsons–Noah, Devon, Peter, Connor, Nate, Tarquin, and Aaron.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann’s name would be appreciated by P.E.O. https://www.peointernational.org/make-a-gift/#donate OR https://www.peointernational.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IndividualDonationForm_20241016_FINAL.pdf to mail in a donation.