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Herbert Mack
December 31, 2004
Longtime visitor and 12-year resident Herbert Mack died Saturday, Dec. 18, at the age of 77.
Memorial services are to be held at Aspen Jewish Congregation/Prince of Peace Chapel at 10 a.m. today. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Herb's first visit to Aspen was in 1957. Herb returned to Aspen every year thereafter until taking full-time residency in 1992. Since 1992, Herb volunteered at the Pitkin County Library, The Aspen Writer's Foundation and The Aspen Institute. He also mentored students at the Aspen Jewish Congregation. He worked as a lawyer throughout his life.
Herb is survived by his wife, Lorraine Mack, and his two sons, Daniel and Michael Mack.
Gailyn Welsh-Nemhauser
Gailyn Welsh-Nemhauser, 49, died quietly on Tuesday, June 22, 2004, after a six-month struggle against cancer, which was diagnosed in December 2003.
Gailyn was raised in Altadena, Calif. Gailyn was a painting contractor in Crested Butte from 1974-1979. Gailyn worked for former Aspen Mayor Bill Stirling at Stirling Homes, Bill's property management company, from 1980 to 1984 while living in Emma.
Gailyn then went to Sonoma State University (SSU) while working at Hewlett-Packard in Rohnert Park Calif. She graduated from SSU with a B.S. in computer science in 1993 and was promoted to R&D Engineer at HP. Then she earned her M.S. in computer science at Chico State University while working for Agilent Technologies (a former subsidiary of HP) in Santa Rosa as a software engineer.
Gailyn was a talented landscape artist. An avid outdoorswoman, she loved to cross-country ski. She will always be remembered for her wonderful wit, great kindness, gentle manner and love of life.
Said her sister Heather: "Today and everyday, we will celebrate Gailyn's life and gentle spirit. She was compassionate and supportive to everyone she met, with a lighthearted way of sharing humor, thereby touching our hearts and changing our lives. With graceful humility, she became a talented artist and brilliant software engineer. The beauty with which Gailyn saw the world shone from her paintings. Her natural ability to combine her artistic creativity with science led to her excellence in earning an M.S. degree in computer science. She had an avid love of nature and being outside, especially to work in her colorful garden or to hike and ski in her beloved Colorado. Her greatest joy in life was her cherished husband, Glenn. They shared an intense love for each other that will carry on through time. We will miss her forever."
Gailyn is survived by her husband, Glenn Nemhauser of Sonoma County, Calif.; her sisters, Roseanne Welsh Weir of San Jose, Calif., and Heather Welsh of Spokane, Wash.; and her sister-in-law Jane Nemhauser of Carbondale, all of whom will miss her dearly.
Tax-deductible donations can be made in Gailyn's memory to: Arts for Healing/SRMH a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides free art therapy to cancer patients as part of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1932 Sebastopol, CA 95473, (707) 823-4403.
Kathleen Mary Oken
December 31, 2004
Kathleen Mary Oken found peace in the arms of her loving husband, Tom, the evening of Dec. 6 as she died at her home in Snowmass Village. Kathleen's 15-year-old daughter Caitlin and sisters Colleen and Char were also by her side, and, as she wished, her dogs Little Guy and Janie were nestled in bed with her.
Born in Akron, Ohio, on Nov. 17, 1951, to Clete and Katherine Reymann, she grew up in Tiffin, Ohio. She graduated from Calvert High School in 1969 and then Providence School of Nursing in 1972 as a registered nurse. In 1974 she moved to Denver to work on kidney transplant research at the University of Colorado Medical Center, then moved to the Aspen area in 1978, settling first in Redstone.
In 1981, she began a 22-year nursing career with Orthopaedic Associates of Aspen and Glenwood Springs, holding positions of office nurse, first assistant in surgery, and clinical supervisor. Kathleen was a continual learner and in 1991 was certified as an orthopedic nurse practitioner. In 1995, she began her own business providing custom-fit knee braces while continuing to work part time at Orthopaedic Associates. She blended traditional and alternative medicine in her practice and helped many residents and visitors with their aching knees.
Kathleen was an avid traveler, scuba diver, jewelry maker and gardener. She loved to work in her yard, and her free time was spent creating a living monument inside and outside the house with flowers, plants and trees. Her home is vibrant and beautiful because of her care.
Kathleen was a nonsmoker and very health-conscious, so her diagnosis of lung cancer 14 months ago came as a shock. She fought her cancer with a strength and courage that no one who knew her will ever forget. Her colleagues, friends and family rallied to her support, and made her realize more than ever before how much she was loved.
She continued to travel and plan, and her faith and spirit grew, even as her body weakened. Her relationship with St. Benedict's Monastery flourished. She strengthened the bonds that connected her family and friends, journeying to help her sister Maureen in Kentucky and drawing great solace from her family's visits to her. Those she leaves feel terrible grief and enormous loss, but will cherish her memory and the inspiration her bravery provided.
Kathleen leaves behind her husband of 16 years and daughter; father Clete of Tiffin; brothers Larry (Cira) of Renton, Wash., and Jim (Gena) of Gig Harbor, Wash.; sisters Colleen Reymann and Char (Bud) Hering of Bellevue, Wash., and Maureen Laux of Louisville, Ky.; sister-in-law Nancy (Jim) Sheldon of Apple Valley, Minn.; and her nieces and nephews, Brian and Patrick Reymann, Colin and Riley Hering, Carolyn and John Laux, Mike Sheldon and Laura (Chad) Vandertop.
A funeral service will be held at the Snowmass Chapel at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 8. Immediately following the service a dinner celebration of Kathleen's life will be hosted by the Oken family at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Schermer Meeting Hall.
The family asks that any donations be made to the Caitlin Oken Education Fund, c/o Paulette Dangler, Alpine Bank, 600 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen, CO 81611.
Jane Hurst
December 31, 2004
On Dec. 20, after watching her grandchildren decorate the Christmas tree and while reading a good book, Jane Hurst of El Jebel died peacefully at home.
The "old black crow" is gone and her "tribe" will miss her always. She is loved by her husband of 44 years, Joe; mother-in-law, Edna; eight children, Mitchell, Berry, Kelly, Abby, Julie, Kim, Cassie and Heather; and lots and lots of in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Thanos Johnson
December 31, 2004
A funeral service for noted Marble potter Thanos Johnson will take place Monday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 12th and Horizon, in Grand Junction.
Johnson, 82, died Dec. 29 in Arizona, surrounded by his children.
A 7 p.m. trisagion prayer service will be held at the Callahan-Edfast Funeral Home, 2515 Patterson Road, in Grand Junction on Sunday, Jan. 2.
Burial will be at the Marble Cemetery following the services.
Stephen Custenborder
June 9, 2004
Stephen "Custy" Custenborder died on May 4 at his longtime home up the Fryingpan River. He was 55.
Custenborder graduated from high school in Arizona, where he was a state gymnastic champion on the rings. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and shortly thereafter moved to the Roaring Fork Valley, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Custenborder lived and worked at Gretl's Restaurant on Aspen Mountain in the early 1970s and trained as a carpenter at Colorado Mountain College.
He was a member of Trout Unlimited and the Sierra Club, and was an avid outdoorsman. His passions included skiing, hiking, fly-fishing, fly tying, camping, boating and visiting his friends.
He is survived by his mother, Jean Custenborder. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Fisherman's Park on Two Rivers Road, near the upvalley entrance to Basalt. A potluck will follow at 120 E. Sopris Drive in Basalt. For more information call 927-3274.
Richard Parker
June 17, 2004
Richard Parker, the founder of Aspen Travel and a former president of the Aspen Chamber of Commerce, died May 30 after suffering a heart attack in Washington, Calif. He was 76 years old.
Parker lived in Aspen for close to 30 years, according to longtime friend and Woody Creek resident Dave Hoff, before returning to his native California in the mid-1980s.
"He was witty, very bright and had a terrific personality - he was a very good friend of many people, " Hoff said. "The main thing that he did for this community is he volunteered for the [Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club] and was the chief timer on World Cup and local ski races."
Parker was preceded in death by his son, Christian, and is survived by his other son, Alex, of Sand Point, Idaho.
A memorial scholarship fund has been set up at the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club in Parker's name, which will help competitive athletes in need of financial support.
There are no plans for a memorial service.
Paul Derek Lane
June 23, 2004
Services will be held Sunday in Leadville for former Aspen resident Paul Derek Lane, who died May 30 at North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton.
Lane, a Leadville resident, was born June 19, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas, son of Doris (Rood) and Glen Lane, both natives of Leadville.
After graduating from Ranch Alamitos High School in Garden Grove, Calif., in 1974, Lane worked in the construction industry in California and Colorado. He was an especially skilled stonemason.
Lane married Marcia Alameida on Oct. 26, 1985, in Aspen; they moved to Leadville in 1995.
He was very interested in athletics and participated in baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics and tennis most of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Marcia, of Leadville; father Glen Lane of Denver; brother Patrick Dirk Lane of Hawaii; and uncles Jere Rood of Aspen and Tom Rood of El Paso, Texas.
Sunday's services will begin at 1 p.m. at St. George Episcopal Church in Leadville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hepatitis C Connection, 1177 Grant St., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80203.
John A. MacDonald
June 24, 2004
John A. MacDonald of Basalt died June 14 at Aspen Valley Hospital, where he had been a patient for a short time. He was 77.
MacDonald was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Dorchester, Mass., son of the late James and Hilda MacDonald. He had been a resident of Basalt for the past 23 years. He was retired, after working as an accountant in the Pitkin County Finance Department for many years and, later, as manager of the Roaring Fork Employee Credit Union.
He was a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy and a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, serving in Korea on the USS Oriskany. Following an honorable discharge, MacDonald moved to Connecticut, where he was self-employed.
He enjoyed repairing antique clocks, reading, gardening and spending time with his family, which will miss him dearly.
Survivors include Charlotte, his wife of 48 years; son James (Lisa) MacDonald of Carbondale; daughters Karen Thrower of Hanalei, Hawaii, and Melinda MacDonald of El Jebel; and granddaughters Amber Hasselbring of San Francisco and Jennifer Thrower of Hanalei.
A private service will be held this week. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a hospice or charity of the donor's choosing would be appreciated.
Richard 'Dick' Britt
June 24, 2004
Richard Wilson Britt died early Wednesday morning, June 23, at his home in Carbondale.
Britt was born July 6, 1950, in Pueblo, Colo., to Robert W. and Minta A. Britt. He moved to the Western Slope in 1968 to attend Colorado Mountain College. While in the valley he worked as a ski instructor, welder, mechanic at Mid-Continent Mine and as a rancher. Most recently he worked at the Harvey Ranch in Snowmass Creek for 17 years.
Since his marriage to Jan MacCready in 2001, he enjoyed making his mark and improving their place, Meadowlark Mesa, overlooking Carbondale.
He is survived by his wife, Jan; his mother, Minta Britt; his sister, Debra Hilsenroth; brothers Douglas (Julie) and Duffield Britt (Nanette); daughter Dotti Britt; son Darby Britt (Kassidi); stepson Carson Weller; grandchildren Rian, Kohl and Willow Britt; and nephews and niece Dylan Jacketta, Brittney and Jack Britt.
Britt was loved by his family and many friends. He enjoyed time with family, exploring the mountains and working cattle on his mule, and learning Spanish from his many Latino friends. He also enjoyed working in "the shop" on various projects including his western iron works. He will be missed by many.
A memorial and potluck will be held on Sunday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Sopris Park in Carbondale. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Alpine Bank for the Latino Rotary Scholarship Fund.
John F. Sweeney
June 28, 2004
John F. Sweeney of Aspen died on June 15 in Monterey, Calif. He was born March 11, 1915, in Denver.
After graduating from Yale University, Sweeney served in France during World War II as a captain in the U.S. Army, earning a Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to Denver and founded and served as president of the B.K. Sweeney Manufacturing Co., a maker of industrial tools and testing equipment.
Sweeney was a devoted supporter of the arts and served as a board member of the Denver Symphony, including several years as chairman. He also served on the boards of Regis University and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
An active outdoorsman, Sweeney spent many years in Aspen skiing, fishing and camping with his family. He was a part-time Aspen resident starting in 1966 and a full-time resident since 1985.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Vivian, seven children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One son and one granddaughter preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, contributions will be gratefully accepted by Ave Maria Convalescent Hospital, 1257 Josselyn Canyon Road, Monterey, CA 93940.
Alexander Ryan Terral
June 30, 2004
Alexander Ryan Terral was born March 30, 1987, at Aspen Valley Hospital and lived all of his life in Aspen. He died this week at the age of 17.
Alex loved life, his mom, dad and his brother, Matt, sports, his friends and traveling. He was a national merit scholar, was named to the Academic All-State First Team for excellence in the classroom as well as accomplishments in athletics, and was pursuing an International Baccalaureate diploma at Aspen High School.
Alex participated in and enjoyed all sports, including football, baseball, hockey and soccer, but his real love was basketball, at which he excelled. He also loved to write and had a real gift for storytelling. He was known for his ready smile, quick wit and great sense of humor. He had a wide circle of friends and will be greatly missed by those that knew and loved him.
The family has been overwhelmed with all of the love and support that has flowed from the Aspen community and beyond, without which the family could not survive this tragedy.
He is survived by his mother, Susan, his father, Tim, and his brother, Matt. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother, Elsie Bell Terral, of Lake Providence, La., and his maternal grandparents, David and Patricia Anthony of Marietta, Pa.
There will be a private service for family on Thursday at 1 p.m.
On Friday, at noon there will be a celebration of Alex's life at the home of Lenny Weinglass on McLain Flats Road. Anyone who has a story or a picture to share is encouraged to write it down or bring it to the celebration. Friends are asked to bring a dish to share. For more information, please contact Mary Ryerson at 429-2105.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the Alex Terral Creative Writing Memorial Scholarship Fund, Alpine Bank, in care of Mary Ryerson.
