Mary Kay Cwik

She was well-loved and respected by her family, peers, coworkers & friends; she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mary Kay grew up in Hammond, Indiana, where she met her first husband. Together, they shared 20 years of marriage and one daughter. Later in life, Mary Kay married Mike Cwik, a Chicago Police Officer. Embracing a beautifully blended family, Mary Kay welcomed Mike’s six children into her heart, raising two of them alongside Mike during their decade spent living in Chicago and beyond.

Ready for a new adventure, Mary Kay and Mike semi-retired and moved out West to Loveland, Colorado, where they built a dream home with a perfect, unobstructed view of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

They took up driving school buses to stay busy. Through the bus company, they made lifelong friends and eagerly volunteered for every field trip they could, which allowed them to learn the lay of the land and explore the entire state. Their love for adventure and fellowship grew as they joined the local Classic Car Club, eventually serving proudly as the club’s president and treasurer.

Mary Kay’s home in Colorado became a joyful hub for family gatherings, and she loved nothing more than hosting her children and grandchildren when they visited from the Chicago area. An avid photographer, Mary Kay loved traveling all over Colorado, capturing its beauty through her lens. If you knew Mary Kay, you knew how much she loved taking pictures.

Though she loved to be around people all the time, Mary Kay was famously a woman of few words. She didn't need a grand speech to make her feelings known; her most famous response to absolutely anything was “Very good." Whether it was a good meal, a visit from family, or a beautiful sunset, that trademark phrase summed it up perfectly.

Mary Kay also had a lifelong passion for animals and was rarely without the company of her beloved dogs, almost always owning two at a time throughout her entire adult life. To Mary Kay, a house full of family and a couple of dogs by her side was, simply put, "very good."

Beyond her warmth and adventurous spirit, Mary Kay was well known for her fancy manicures. For the past few years, she insisted on getting her nails done with glitter. Even though medical professionals frequently reminded her that they couldn’t successfully get an oxygen reading through metallic glitter, Mary Kay remained steadfast. She was not a stubborn person by nature, but no one was going to tell her she couldn't have her glitter. She carried that sparkle with her until the very end.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Cwik, her mother Kathryn Bartley and sister Trish. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and a host of dear friends and extended family members who will cherish her memory forever.

A Celebration of Life party will be held in her honor on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Sugar Valley Estates in Loveland, Colorado. Address is 4320 Georgetown, Loveland, CO.

Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate a life that was truly "very good" (glitter manicures warmly welcomed).

Memories of Mary Kay and words of condolence for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.