Shirley Jean Crow

Momma came to Westcliffe with her college roommate, Jane, to see where she was from. Jane and her boyfriend wanted to go dancing but little did they know they were setting the wheels in motion for Nanny to meet the love of her life. They sat and discussed who was around and who to ask, it's funny to think of some of those men now. Finally, they set on Dennis Crow who was home on leave and about to head back to Vietnam. Boy, they did not know what they were getting Momma into. Papa jumped at the chance to get out of the house for the night and the world changed for them both. They went dancing at the Silver Saddle in Pueblo. And before the night was over Papa had proposed. Now, there is some argument as to what was considered a proposal. But the gist of it was a ring would be on her finger when he came home. Both felt it was love at first sight. Papa knew he would come home after he met her and here, we are 53 years later. Mom and Dad had two kids, 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Over the years, Momma has been a waitress, a teacher, an insurance agent, a fashion design teacher, she taught developmentally disabled how to live on their own, she was the Suicide Prevention Program Manager at Ft Carson, and then she was a Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate for the Air Force for the last 9 years. As you can see all of her jobs have been centered around helping others. One thing that is clear is how much her students, coworkers and clients love her. Even 30 years later she was receiving Christmas cards from past students. When Momma is involved in anything she gives it her all and her full attention. Her students and clients were very dear to her, and she cared for them with everything she had. Her dedication was clear as she sat in the hospital communicating with clients the day before her passing. There are many of her clients here today to celebrate her life.

Momma loved spending time with her family. She loved experiencing life with them. Momma loved going to museums, plays, the zoo, all kinds of activities with her kids and grandkids. One thing we learned from Momma is to do your homework before going anywhere. Momma had a way of falling into interesting situations. One such time was when she took her great granddaughters to the Homestead House Museum in Cripple Creek not knowing it was formally a very high-end brothel. Oh ya, the girls were only 5, 8 and 11. We never let Momma forget she took the girls to a brothel.

She also loved the Boulder dinner theater and had season tickets for years. Her daughter and granddaughter got to experience seeing many great shows including the Full Monty not knowing what it was. So, they experienced their first strip show together with Momma. It was an experience to say the least. Us boys often thought it was unfair that we were not invited so the one time we got to go it was most tame, unexciting, unexplicit show ever made.

We loved to laugh and tease with Momma. She was a great sport and dealt with our family’s shenanigans and jokes with grace. We often teased her about being the shortest person in the family and after many years of dealing with our jokes, Momma started to make one liners back at us which always surprised us and stung a little coming from our sweet Momma! But we probably deserved a lot more. We are a family full of fun and laughter.

Momma was always willing to help her children and grandchildren with anything. She accepted our partners and their families as if they were her own and loved them deeply. She would do anything for family. All of us have reached out to her at one time or another for advice, guidance, with our fears, our tears and our dreams. She guided us through rough times and celebrated us through the good and easy times.

I am not sure that we can ever convey what an amazing human being Momma was. She made an impact on anyone and everyone she ever met. She loved animals as much as she loved humans and even the orneriest of creatures (ehem, Troubles) loved Momma. We will forever be changed by the patience, love and wisdom she provided us with, and we will miss her very, very much. All our lives are much better for knowing and loving her.