Maureen Gunther

Maureen had an interesting and memorable life. She was born July 7, 1939 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She spent the World War II years in Belfast, occasionally being sent to the countryside with her cousins, due to the threat of the Nazi bombings.

After the war in 1949, Maureen moved to Heidelberg, Germany, where her father was employed by the U.S. Army. She and her family lived in a country club that her father managed for the military, called the Molkenkur. It was perched on the hillside overlooking the city of Heidelberg and its castle. Maureen attended the American schools in Heidelberg, which were provided for allied dependents. There she quickly learned and became fluent in the German language - so well so, that locals often thought she was German herself.

In high school she was a cheerleader, and it was there that she captured the heart of a team football player named Tom. Their love endured over the years, even after Tom’s family moved back to the U.S.. Once Maureen’s family was able to immigrate to America in 1956, they continued to stay connected while Tom went to college, and eventually married on June 16, 1962. She raised 2 children and lived in 5 different cities before finally settling in Arvada, CO in 1972. There she spent a fulfilling life raising her son and daughter, often by herself, since Tom’s employment required frequent travel. Tom credits her for turning out two wonderful adults.

As the kids grew older, Maureen enjoyed her own career as a Student Advisor at Red Rocks Community College for many years. Eventually she and Tom retired around the same time, and they spent many happy years traveling around the world, often with other friends.

Maureen and Tom loved to ballroom dance (she particularly liked Latin and Swing numbers) and could often be found on the dance floor at various functions, impressing the crowd. Jazzercise and walking with her husband were other activities the she really enjoyed.

Arts and crafts were always a big part of her life, she sewed and embroidered countless items over the years for her family and friends, and created various crafts and home decor. She also volunteered with Tom for many years at the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts, where she loved to interact with the patrons and performers alike.

Another great love of Maureen’s was the spending time in the mountains, especially at their family cabin in Alma, CO. She especially loved cozying up inside with the fire, when the snow was falling down.

Maureen was such a loving, caring and special person, she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Maureen is survived by her husband Tom, her son Jeff Gunther, daughter Sharon Nguyen, son-in-law Dzon Nguyen, and grandchildren Zach Craft, Arianna Nguyen, Isabella Nguyen and Nicolette Nguyen.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maureen’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts.