Maria Elizabeth Venegas

She was born to the late George and Melinda Genuario on June 25, 1940, in Norwalk, CT. She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1958 and received her BS in nursing from Metropolitan State University in 1989. She married Wilson Venegas in 1967, and they lived together in Norwalk, CT, before relocating to Colorado. They also lived for a short time in Germany.

Maria was a nurse (RN) until she retired in 2007. During her nursing career, both in the hospital (Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge) and assisted living setting (Nightingale Suites in Arvada) she touched many people lives in positive and meaningful ways. Maria had a fun-loving spirit and a caring nature that drew people to her, patients and hospital staff alike. She was compassionate, intelligent and committed to her life-long work.

Maria was spiritual and religious; she was dedicated to her faith. She was a member, at different times, of Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church and Faith Bible, both in Arvada. She graduated from Bible College at Faith Bible Chapel. She was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, listening to music and physical activity like hiking, walking and dancing.

Maria is survived by her husband, Wilson and her three children: Michael Venegas of San Francisco; Michelle Venegas, of San Francisco; and Melinda Lee, of Winter Park. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Jack, Owen, Sabina, Olivia and Genevieve and her brothers, George Genuario II and Stevan Genuario, both of Norwalk, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies, 1325 South Colorado Boulevard #204, Denver, CO 80222.

The memorial service and gathering will be held Saturday, March 14th at 12:00 p.m. at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, 7777 West 29th Ave.