Always quick with a smile or a witty remark, Mary was an easy friend to many who will miss her dearly.
Throughout the years Mary was active in several bridge groups, participated in bowling leagues, played golf and did as much reading as she could. She loved to travel and spend time with her family, and she never missed an opportunity to try her luck on a slot machine. Mary also had a huge heart for dogs and brought many rescue pups into the home she shared with her husband Doug.
Doug and Mary grew up in neighboring small towns in Upstate New York, but did not actually meet until they were both college students at SUNY Albany. They became friends, but it wasn’t until a few years later when they were pursuing their respective masters degrees that their friendship turned in to something more, and they wed soon-after on November 2, 1974.
Mary had a versatile and successful career right out of college starting as a middle school English teacher. Her career path changed when she and Doug moved to Rochester. She landed a job as the executive assistant to the president of Rochester Midland where she eventually became the corporate secretary. Following a move to Illinois, Mary made another career change and became the administrative assistant to the president at North Central College in Naperville. Mary and Doug’s move to Colorado in 1999 found her at Level 3 in her final position as a proposal coordinator, a rewarding job that stimulated her mentally and gained her many more close friendships.
Doug and Mary’s marriage of almost 44 years was a vibrant one, full of laughter and love. The union produced two daughters, Meredith and Becky. As a family they enjoyed traveling together and often frequented amusement parks and baseball fields around the country. As the family grew to include son-in-law Erik, their travels took them to even further to destinations like Alaska and Europe.
To know Mary was to love her, and she leaves behind a wonderful legacy as a smart, funny and kind-hearted woman.
Mary is survived by her husband Doug, daughters Becky Bacon and Meredith (Erik) Nelson. Mary is also survived by her aunt Frances Gurdak, and cousins Dorree Gurdak, Natalie (Mark) Lontchar, Sam (Frankie) Greco, Janet (John) Cetnar and John Greco.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel in Longmont.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lifeline Puppy Rescue.
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