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Shirley Maye Darien

October 28, 1932 — December 27, 2015

Shirley Maye Darien of Basalt, Colorado passed away at her home on December 27, 2015. Shirley was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on October 28, 1932, the firstborn child of Margaret and Ben Darien. After graduating from Basalt High School she attended Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley (now UNC) where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She went on to receive a Masters Degree in education from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. She began her teaching career in Santa Maria, California and later returned to her home state of Colorado. She taught in Grand Junction for a year before accepting a position as a first grade teacher for RE-1, a position she held until her retirement after 34 years in the teaching profession.

She was an accomplished bowler, an avid bridge player, loved arts and crafts, and in later years kept her mind and fingers sharp by playing every challenging game she could find on her I-pad. Not only was she a cancer survivor, but for the past 15 years she battled Myasthenia Gravis, a chronic auto immune disease. The fighting spirit she displayed was an inspiration to all of those around her.

She is survived by her three brothers, Alvin (Sonny) (wife Bernie), Jerry (wife Debbie), Bob (wife Jamie), as well as nieces and nephews Debbie Baird (Ken), Darlene Dion, Jay Darien (Debbie Penland), Dana Darien (Phil Rodriquez), Logan Darien (Amanda Munio – fiance), Lacey Stenson (Nick), grand nieces Kaylee Dion, Penelope Stenson, grand nephews Chris Baird, Kyle Baird, Drew Darien and Caden Dion. She is also survived by her faithful bridge group, loving friends, caretaker Guadalupe Toledo, little Isaac and their family, a multitude of students she taught over the years, in addition to the many lives she touched, too numerous to mention. Shirley will live on in our memories as a loving sister, aunt and great aunt.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Glenwood Springs on Friday, January 8, 2015 at 1 o’clock, followed by a reception at the Church.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1901 Grand Avenue, Suite 206, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601.