Gwen Huber

Gwen Marie Huber
August 1, 1945 - June 28, 2018
Born to a mother she would not meet for 40 years, Gwen was adopted by Ellen and Robert Berkley at age two, growing up in Grand Junction from age eight. After completing St. Joseph's Catholic School, she attended Grand Junction High School. Gwen left her home at age 16, living thereafter with the families of Ed and Ruth Anderson, Bill and Nancy Anderies, and Lawrence and Arllys Indergard. Every Mother's Day, she acknowledged each of her "Mothers" for their care, love, and support. She received great support and guidance from the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart, who worked then in Grand Junction. Gwen was a "Candy Striper" at St. Mary's Hospital during high school. Graduating in 1963, she began Nursing studies at Mesa College, transferring to St. Joseph Hospital Nursing School in Denver. Ill health precluded completion of her Nursing studies.
Gwen never held a job or participated in an activity she didn't love. She extended herself to everyone and never knew an enemy. Whether a day care provider, a mental health counselor, a teaching assistant, a music teacher, or a mom, she loved everyone unconditionally. After five years of study at Mesa College she earned her BA in Psychology, planning to pursue a Masters degree. Again, health forestalled her plans. Gwen longed to meet her birth parents. She assisted many other adoptees through "Adoption-FIND" (Family In New Dimensions), a support group she founded. After years of searching, she found her birth-mother, Mercedes "Penny" Laws. They spent the next 26 happy years in Grand Junction.
Food was not her friend, but Gwen loved to socialize. She loved fishing, lakeside camping, singing with Sweet Adelines, and anything to do with children. A self-taught guitarist, she taught vocal music at Holy Family Catholic School for nine years, conducting several Advent-Christmas musical pageants with four-hundred-plus children's voices. She originated and directed the YA! (Youth Alive) choir at St. Joseph's Church, and later the Y-IHM (Youth In HyMn) choir at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. She also enjoyed grand opera, attending several in Denver and San Francisco.
Gwen met Francis "Frank" Huber in 1966, six months later they married, celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2017. Four children were born to them, Michael Francis (Colleen), Daniel Joseph (Elizabeth), and Sarah Louise (Mike). Lisa Marie was stillborn in 1969. Seven grandchildren, Richard Edmund, William Michael, and Charles Lawrence; Colvin Conrad, and Liam Edward; Samuel Joseph and Hannah Louise complete the family tree.
Gwen's family thanks all friends, St. Mary's Pavilion Oncology staff, Dr. Stephen Leong and the staff of Colorado University Anschutz Cancer Center, and the exceptional staff of HopeWest Hospice. Without you, the miracle of Gwen's three-year pancreatic cancer survivor journey would not have been possible.
Send memorial contributions to Holy Family Catholic School and HopeWest Hospice of Grand Junction.
Join the family at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11 for the prayer vigil, viewing, and Rosary, and to share memories of Gwen. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church followed by a luncheon. Inurnment will be Friday, July 13, at Calvary Cemetery, Orchard Mesa, in Grand Junction.