Carol Ann Mehaffy

Her ability to genuinely engage anyone, in any setting, under any circumstances became the hallmark of her life. Her circle of friends became as large as her heart.

Born in Walterboro, SC on February 8, 1944, Carol Ann lived her early life on the move with her family up and down the Mid-Atlantic states. Although she planted roots along the Front Range of Colorado, her love of the beach and the ocean started early and never abated. She graduated high school in Summerville, SC and followed in the footsteps of her father, attending Colorado State University.

Her career as a lab technician in the Fort Collins field office of the Colorado Division of Wildlife cemented many of her dearest and long-time friendships, and furthered her love of a life outdoors. Never a day passed that she did not find time to enjoy the blessings that nature brought out in her soul. In addition to her early career, she volunteered as a crisis counselor and her ability to communicate with everyone in a completely non-judgmental capacity undoubtedly brought peace to many in their times of need.

In what her husband John Mehaffy calls the greatest competitive victory of his life, they married in 1989 and relocated to Longmont, but she continued to work in Fort Collins until her retirement. John and Carol Ann spent the next 15 years traveling the world. Her zest for life, travel and the friendships that ensued are well known. Because her friendships were many, John said the best way to he can describe Carol Ann is to allow those friends to share their perspectives of her. Following are representative of the many emails and calls he has received following her death:

‘She was the most unique and genuine person I have ever met and I am proud to say she was a good friend;’

‘When you talked to Carol Ann at a party or anywhere, she focused on you like you were the only person in the room;’

‘She never seemed to have a hidden agenda but spoke directly the way she perceived things;’

‘If you spent any time with Carol Ann you soon realized she chose not to be judgmental of others but preferred to accept people for whatever they might be;’

‘We could never resist telling John you don’t need to come to the party if Carol wasn’t going to be able to join us!’

‘I loved her sense of humor and animated talking;

‘She warned us to “ Be careful what you wish for”;

‘Extremely inquisitive mind and so smart;’

‘So delightful in how she managed to interject her unique perspectives in our study groups;’

‘It was fun watching Carol Ann and John’s good natured bantering. They had both really met their match;’

‘On first meeting someone, with enough time, she knew their whole life’s story and they knew zero about her;’

“ I will always remember her repeating this quote “ Argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours”

‘She was such a fun, sparkly individual you couldn’t help but laugh when she was with you;’

‘What an amazing lady. We will truly miss her!’

Carol Ann passed away on November 30th after a brief illness. She is proceeded in death by her brother Malcolm Ernst; her parents, William and Lucy Jo Ernst. She is survived by her spouse John Mehaffy; her sister Betty Jo Ernst and her two children Jason Weinland, of Shreveport, La, married to Kelli Weinland, and Nathan Weinland, of Fort Collins, married to Clories Weinland, and step son Mike Mehaffy, of San Francisco. Her five grandchildren include Bel Mehaffy, Christopher Weinland, Graeme Weinland, Lauralee Weinland and Alesha Weinland.

The family sincerely thanks each and every one of her friends for their contributions to her life.