Minerva Canavan

1927 - 2015

Minerva Carr Canavan died peacefully at home in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at age 87. Min, as she was known to her many friends, was the daughter of James McGregor Canavan and Minerva Nicholas Canavan. She was born December 8, 1927 in St. Louis, MO. Min graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1946, attended Wellesley College for two years and graduated from Washington University in 1950. She worked for Eastern Airlines for a number of years before earning a teaching degree and becoming a favorite P.E. teacher at Webster High 1963-1968. During seven summers, Min was co-director of a girls' summer camp in Colorado, Camp Shoshoni. In the late 1960's, she moved to Colorado, earned a degree in school counseling from University of Colorado and worked as a middle and high school counselor for the Brighton Schools. She was known for her warmth and friendliness. In Boulder, she helped form an English as a Second Language School and International Tea Group where she befriended many women who had come to Boulder with their husbands to study at the university. Min loved the mountains, hiking and skiing. For many years she enjoyed hikes and outings with The Colorado Mountain Club and her Thursday hikers, "The Schoolmarms". Of the 53 Fourteeners in Colorado, Min climbed 36 of them inspiring many others to do the same. Upon retirement she volunteered as a ski instructor for the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. Min moved from Golden, CO to Boulder in 1993 where she volunteered in many community groups among them United Nations Association Boulder County, UU Community Hospitality for the Homeless, Boulder Nature Association, Boulder Bird Club, Book and Travel Groups. Min is survived by a sister, Constance C. Roeder (Dudley Batchelor) of Clayton, MO, four nieces and nephews, Geoff Roeder (Jan) of St. Louis, MO, John Roeder (Kristi) of Boise, Idaho, Carolyn C. McKee (Ethan) of Westminster, CO Elizabeth C. Byrne (Kevin) of Louisville, CO. Great nieces and nephews Eleanor C. McKee and Charlotte E. McKee of Westminster, CO, and Connor M. Byrne and Hudson M. Byrne of Louisville, CO and Boden Roeder, Joshua Roeder and Katherine Roeder of Boise, Idaho and Ashley C. Roeder of California and her mother, Martha Roeder of St. Louis, as well as her long time friend Nancy Beal Allen of Boulder. Minerva was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, James McGregor Canavan, Jr., and a nephew, Kurt C. Roeder. A private service will be held in Boulder to celebrate Min's life. Internment is in the mountains of Colorado. We will miss her greatly. Donations may be made to American Cancer Society (acs.org), Colorado Mountain Club (cmc.org), National Sports Center for the Disabled (nscd.org)