Saralee McGroarty

Saralee is survived by her husband, Robert Coombes, children Robin (McGroarty) O’Hare, Michael McGroarty, Jennifer (Coombes) Clark, Rachael (Coombes) Evans, and Naomi Valdez. Saralee had six wonderful grandchildren, Jordan Clark, Jordan McGroarty, Winter Woolley, Caleb Coombes, Riley McGroarty, and Kinan Evans. She adopted the name Mamaw, after a song from the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes. Saralee is also survived by her sister, Virginia Robinson Bolen of Chicago and Colorado Springs, and cousin Kimbrough Street, of Seattle. Saralee, Virginia, and Kimbrough are all fourth-generation Coloradans. Saralee is survived by her husband’s brothers, Jim Coombes and Ted Coombes, and their families.

Saralee was born on October 18, 1942, to parents Dr. Lloyd Robinson and Virginia (Thorpe) Robinson, now deceased. She graduated high school at Kent Denver School in 1960, and graduated from Cornell University in 1964. She received her M.D. at the University of Colorado Medical School in 1968. She did her internship and residency at Pacific Presbyterian Hospital in San Francisco. She met her first husband Bill McGroarty in San Francisco and they married in 1971. On November 30, 1974, and January 28, 1976, respectively, they welcomed their daughter, Robin Lee, and son, Michael Patrick. Saralee met her husband, Robert Coombes, at Longmont Theatre Company in 1992. They celebrate March 6, 1993, as their anniversary.

After a few years practicing Neurology in Denver and Boulder, Saralee moved her practice to Longmont, CO. She was loved by her patients and was devoted to their care. She retired in 1999. Saralee loved the outdoors, and loved outdoor activities, when she was younger. Her favorite hike was climbing Meadow Mountain, near Allenspark, CO, where she built a great getaway cabin. Saralee loved all things musical, and was a long-time member of the Longmont Chorale. She also was a lighting designer and director for the Longmont Theatre Company. Her favorite theater accomplishment was directing Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado in 1998. Her husband was the musical director and voice coach for the production. She played the guitar and sang folk music most of her life. Saralee loved to sing Wild Mountain Thyme with her husband. They took some memorable vacation trips during their 25 years together, most recently a Viking River Cruise of the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.

Saralee loved Christmas, and celebrated it with a passion. Most Christmases, the living room was full of presents, leaving little room for people. Her favorite Christmas activity was singing Sandra Boynton’s Snuggle Puppy, with all the grand kids snuggled in her lap. This last Christmas, all the grand kids, including the teenagers, piled on her lap, and sang Snuggle Puppy together. The family fortunately was able to video record that, and they will treasure that forever.

Saralee (Mamaw) will be missed by her husband, children, and grandchildren, as well as by many friends and colleagues.