Mary Glendening Obituary

Mary Helen Denham Kirks Hall Glendening, age 99, formerly of Olathe, Colo., died April 27, 2014 at San Juan Living Center in Montrose. Helen is the daughter of Marvin A. and Mary Denham, who homesteaded in the Uncompahgre Valley in 1899. She was born March 20, 1915, sixth of seven children.

Helen received her education in Olathe, Colo., and Columbia, Mo.

Helen was a legend to all who knew her, from the bathing beauty in 1932 to retiring in 1976 after 30 years as a secretary at School District RE-1, Cortez, Colo., a 66-year member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 75, Cortez, Colo., lifetime member of Cortez BPOE No. 1789 Emblem Club, and State of Colorado President of Educational Secretaries in 1971 and 1972. She attended Olathe Methodist Church.

Helen was very social, always beautifully groomed, loved to dance, play cards and upon retirement in 1976 learned to play golf, winning many tournaments in Arizona and Colorado. After leaving Cortez in 1976, she lived in Aurora, Colo., and Mesa, Ariz., before returning to Montrose in 1996.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Isabelle Smith and Alleen Spiers; brothers Herbert, Avon, Bob and Don Denham; son C.A. (Curly) Kirks; husbands Emmit Kirks, Dwight Hall and Ralph Glendening; grandsons Kirk Bailey and Randy Kirks; and granddaughter Debra Bailey.

Helen is survived by daughter Jeanette (Frank) Bailey and granddaughter Cindy of Mesa, Ariz.; loving caregivers Donna Abernathy and Paola Caldararo; grandsons Rick (Sheri), Wiley and Wesley Kirks and Rob (Jennifer), Mayan and Aura Kirks, Kevin (Christina) Kirks and family in California, Kelly Kirks of Denver; granddaughters Judy Goodwin and sons of Spokane, Wash., and Christy (Al) Notary and family of Castle Rock, Colo., and stepdaughters Patsy Glendening of Delta, Colo., and Meredyth Westwater of Denver; stepsons Charles (Jean) Glendening of Olathe, Colo., and Chuck (Dee) Hall of Parachute, Colo.

Helen is survived by 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren and many very special nieces and nephews.

After cremation and a family service, Helen will be inurned in the family plot in Olathe Cemetery next to her son. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Special Olympics or American Cancer Society.

A Celebration of Helen's life was held on April 30, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Olathe Cemetery in Olathe, Colo.

A reception will follow the graveside service at the Quality Inn Hotel on Corporate Drive, in Montrose.

Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, Colo.