Dana Brinsmead McCausland

Dana Brinsmead McCausland died unexpectedly Friday night, April 3, 2021, at her home in Fort Collins, CO. She spent most of her 76 years in Albuquerque before moving north in 2016 to share many happy times with her family.

Born in 1944 to William Robert and Gwendolyn Williams Dickson, in Pecos, TX, near the WWII airbase where her father helped build runways, the family moved to KAFB and Sandia Base in 1946. She grew up from childhood through college in the same on-base home.

A 1962 Highland High graduate, she attended Colorado State Univ., and graduated from UNM with a degree in Art Education. A gifted but fearless athlete, her family joked about the many trips to the ER for stitches or a cast after a mishap...

Dana was a devoted mother to her two sons, loving those times filled with schoolwork, sports, travel and endless projects often shared with their grandparents just around the corner.

She had a long career as a graphic artist and copy editor for in-house publications, books and magazines for corporate, organizational and private clients.

Retiring from that field, she joined the staff at Wild Birds Unlimited in Albuquerque, where she made close friends among staff and customers. That work also expanded her interest in birds and other wildlife. Her e-mails from Colorado to friends were most often about a special bird at her bird feeder or a buck with huge antlers in her yard.

She was a gifted stained-glass craftsman planning new designs to be produced in a glass studio in the house she was helping her son remodel. She also enjoyed history programs, shopping for gifts, and a lively poker game around a big table with good friends.

A good cook, she typically arrived with a big platter of food for a holiday event, then insisted on helping with the dishes. She was planning traditional Easter brunch for her family when she died.

She is survived by her son, Damon Lynn McCausland, daughter-in-law Deidre Suzanne Sewell, and beloved granddaughter Maiti Quinn McCausland, of Fort Collins; her sister Denis Norlander (Bill) of Albuquerque, nephew Danny Norlander (Rosie) and their children Oliver and Ada in Oregon; and her former husband Edward McCausland (Jeanie) of Fort Collins.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her son Matthew Angus McCausland, who died in 2005.

She leaves behind many friends spanning her years from childhood to newer pals in Fort Collins, especially the self-named Horsetooth Ladies group.

Cremation has taken place and family and friends will gather later to share memories of Dana. At Allnutt Funeral Service – Drake Road Chapel in Fort Collins CO on Friday April 16th, 2021 at 1:00 pm. A live stream will also be available.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Dana McCausland can be made to:

Matthew A. McCausland Memorial Endowment (60715)

Colorado State University Foundation

c/o Dana McCausland

P.O. Box 1870

Fort Collins, CO 80522-1870

Or

Colorado Odyssey

c/o Dana McCausland

415 Heron Cove

Ft. Collins, CO 80524