OBITUARY
Gwyn Green
November 21, 1938 – September 12, 2018
Gwyn Green died peacefully in her home September 12, 2018 after a long battle with ALS. Survivors include her loving husband of 56 years, Daniel, her four children, Laura, Kevin (Barb), Mark (Mary Ann), and Benjamin (Julie), 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Gwynith’s delight was her faith, her family, and her friends. She matriculated from St Mary’s College (1961) in South Bend, Indiana, and received her Master of Social Work (1984) from the University of Denver. Her social work emphasized working with seniors and disabled. She was active in her church, especially in social justice issues and in the League of Women Voters, particularly with sustainability and children’s issues. She served three years as a Golden City Councilor. This was followed by five years as a Colorado State Representative, where she was known as the “Fighting Granny” for her fierce advocacy for children, the poor and her beloved city, Golden.
Some of her awards include Award for Legislative Excellence, Distinguished Legislator of the Year and Honorary Police Officer.
Memorial donations may be made to CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, #2040, Golden, CO 80401 or the A.C.L.U., 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004.
DONATIONS
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ACLU
125 Broad Street 18th Floor , New York, New York 10004
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CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties
100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, Colorado 80401
Services
- Memorial Service Wednesday, September 19, 2018
- Committal Service Wednesday, September 19, 2018
REMEMBERING
Gwyn Green
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RECEIVE UPDATESBirdie McNalley
September 19, 2018
I met Gwen 8 years ago at St. Joseph Episcopal Church. She was so very kind and welcoming and she always had such a beautiful smile and kind heart! She was a very special lady! She will be sadly missed. My condolences to the family.
Errol and Marilyn McAlexander
September 18, 2018
We loved our bridge club get togethers. Our late nights talking about families and whatever were entertaining and so fun. I also sent her my thoughts when we were fortunate to have her in the state house. I even think some thoughts were useful. Awesome mother, wife, citizen, friend, representative. WOW.
Elizabeth Pottorff
September 18, 2018
I am thankful for the time that Gwyn attended St. Joseph Episcopal Church of Lakewood, CO. She was a great supporter of our Peace and Justice Community. I learned so much from her when it became my turn to chair the group. She opened my eyes to the concept of “Structural Sin”: the things that have always been done, that we accept as a society; the ways that charitable and government bureaucracies actually hurt those they intend to help.
Erin and Peter Dawes
September 17, 2018
We’ve only had the pleasure of knowing Gwyn for 10 years, once we moved in next-door to she and Dan. It was such fun to find out that we shared a St. Mary’s - Notre Dame connection. During get-togethers and visits and walks, she regaled us with tales of arriving at Saint Mary’s and learning so much about becoming well-read and ready to share an informed opinion from the nuns there; of adventures and amusing anecdotes shared with Dan; of adventures that kids bring into your life; and of the fights worth fighting, the injustices she was compelled to work to reverse.
Gwyn was enamored of her children and grandchildren. And of her husband. Dan and Gwynn’s marriage has been a model to us all. The care and respect they each had for each other was a privilege to behold and a gift to our world.
On our last visit, days before her passing, she was sporting the smiles everyone knows well, argued for the care of the poor, bragged about her family, commented on the week in politics, laughed with her husband and grumbled about the Fighting Irish football game. She expected a lot from our world and its people. We’ll keep working to live up to her model.
Erin and Peter Dawes
Kim Dvorchak
September 17, 2018
I had the honor of working with Gwyn to support juvenile justice reform. She was a tenacious advocate for children who called out harmful policies and practices. This is a letter she wrote to the Denver Post November 2, 2013--we won that battle for children's representation! Gwyn was right: more effective options do exist and she helped ensure they become common practice.
I am appalled at the editorial stance of The Denver Post on juvenile justice. Forensic evidence shows that children’s capacity for judgment doesn’t develop until their mid-20s. Those who get in trouble with the law, whatever their age, deserve attorneys. This is true especially of children, who face grave risk of recidivism, violence and trauma when taken from their families and placed in juvenile detention. Children should never be taken from their families unless there is abuse and neglect present there. To do so and to not even give these children legal representation is surely institutionalized child abuse. More effective options exist.
Gwyn Green, Golden
Rob Medina
September 16, 2018
Gwyn is a real hero and she inspired me to protect Golden. I will never forget her.
Beverly Druilhet
September 15, 2018
I met Gwynith almost 48 years ago as she welcomed me into the Druilhet family as a new bride. In all of these years I have only seen her smiling. She was so loving and giving. As a great tour guide, she introduced me to the wonderful Rocky Mountains and Estes Park. The scenes were breathtaking and she was so proud to show them off. The drive back to Denver that night was fraught with gales of laugher as she announced that she can’t see well at night. I think she straightened out a few curves as we wound our way down the mountain. This was Gwynith. She found laughter in the most difficult moments. I
will never think of her without thinking of her smiles and laughter. I love her with all my heart and should I ever get to The Rocky Mountains again, I will miss her as the best tour guide ever. I’m sure heaven is rocking and she is smiling and laughing even more since she has well. RIP my sweet Sister-in-law. I love you.
Melanie Morris
September 15, 2018
I fell in love with Gwynith the first time I laid eyes on her. It was the day I was born, and I adored my sister from the start. She was funny, kind, witty, generous, deeply spiritual, fiercely protective, compassionate, gentle, loving, and inspirational. She made life better for so many, many people. There isn't a soul she encountered whose life hasn't been enriched because of that interaction.
There aren't enough ways to say "Thank you" and "I love you" and "I miss you." She was, her entire life, right up through the end, incandescent with joy. The world is so much dimmer without her in it.
Dan, Laura, Kevin, Mark, Ben, and Wayne, my heart aches for each of you. I just don't know how to ease your agony. I wish I did.
I find comfort in these words of Khalil Gibran: "And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance." I believe Gwynith is dancing up a storm. Probably the Macarena.
Cheryl Fong
September 15, 2018
Mrs. Green had a certain laugh and light about her. A twinkle in her eye and an impish smile.
When Laura and I were in graduate school in the '80s, the Greens always had an "open house" policy at their Lakewood home on Friday nights. Their children's raggedy friends (me included) would descended en masse - pizza flowed and laughs ensued. Laura and I would play bridge with her parents... well, SOME of us played bridge and some on us faked it. What fun. An open house with open hearts.
My love to the entire Green family - Mr. Green, Laura, Kevin, Mark and Ben and the rest of the family.
Karen Brady
September 15, 2018
Gwyn and I both took an interest in a young man named John who needs support and mentoring. I found myself inspired by her. She was always positive but never blind to reality, however brutal or sad. Talking to Gwyn would sometimes give me strength I hadn't realized I needed. I am sure her legacy will be found in many places, not the least of which will be the heart and grit she has given John and me.
Alice Madden
September 14, 2018
I served with Gwyn in the legislature and had the privilege of helping her get elected. We weren't sure what she would think about the "fightin granny" monicker but she later told me the greatest story... She was at a gas station filling up her car and a little boy looked out his window and said "Mom look, it's the fightin' granny!" How many elected officials do you know that have their own comic book character??? Loved Gwyn. An absolute treasure of a human being and a really terrific public servant. Sending much love to her family. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Rep. B.J. Nikkel
September 14, 2018
I served in the Colorado legislature with Gwen. I will always remember Gwen for the wonderful caring smile she consistently wore on her face. It was always such a pleasure to talk with her or run into within the walls of the capitol building because she was such a pleasant, dear person. Gwen's ability to care about other people is obviously what brought her to do her work in the legislature and I will always admire her for the passion she brought to our debates and discussions. Her family must be so proud of her for her accomplishments there. God bless them as they mourn her passing and may Gwen rest in eternal peace.