Marilyn-Sundt-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Monarch Society

Marilyn Elaine Sundt

Denver, Colorado

May 27, 1950 – Feb 5, 2016 (Age 65)

About

BORN
May 27, 1950
DIED
February 5, 2016
AGE
65
LOCATION
Denver, Colorado
CHARITY
American Lung Association

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Monarch Society Obituary

Marilyn E. Sundt was born May 27, 1950 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bill and Dolores Sundt. She graduated from Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, NM in 1968 and received a BA degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1972. She worked for various advertising and printing companies as a customer service rep until her illness.

Prior to her illness in 1995 she was also an avid hiker, reaching the summits of 20 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado. In addition she was a cross-country and downhill skier. She loved yoga and exercising. After recovering from the initial lung infection she turned her interests toward photography, journaling, and the arts and traveling the country with Andy in their little RV.

Her other interest, which brought much joy to Marilyn and others was her online forums; in particular the one called, "The Talkers", A group of people with various lung issues, sharing day-to-day activities and stories.

Even with a diminished lung capacity and on oxygen she had the desire and motivation to continue yoga and regular exercising. Members of her yoga class often commented as to what an inspiration she was.

In the years following the initial infection she had a series of recurring lung infections which necessitated a double lung transplant in 2011. Recovery from the transplant was difficult but through it all and beyond she maintained a positive outlook and even resumed exercising and yoga.

With every lung transplant, rejection of the new lungs is inevitable. Even with a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle she began to show those signs of rejection. In December of 2015 she developed double pneumonia which required hospitalization. During her hospital stay her lung function declined to the point where it became necessary to use a ventilator to assist her breathing.

As always she maintained a positive attitude but after two months on a ventilator she passed away peacefully with Andy and family by her side on February 5, 2016.

She was preceded in death by her father Bill. She is survived by her loving husband, Andy Mirdik, her son Christopher Graham, and her mother Dolores. She was blessed with many siblings including her brother Bill Sundt, sister Laura Pierce and husband Guy Pierce, Paul Sundt and wife Nancy, Dan Sundt and wife Michelle, and David Sundt, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 10:00am at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 13120 E. Kentucky Ave., Aurora Colorado 80012. A private inurnment at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers family suggests memorials be made to American Lung Association in her name. www.lung.org

Although she is gone from this earth she will live in our hearts forever.

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I just recently saw a picture taken of you, me and Edna Fiore at some conference, probably in Denver because I'm wearing O2 as well. Edna died in October of 2021, but I suspect you know that already and are chasing each other around somewhere like a couple of kids. It was always such a treat to get to go to Denver for ATS, even though I had to use O2 there because I could count on Edna to make sure I had LOX and a roommate at the hotel and we got to have lunch with you at least once! I'm...

It's hard to believe that it was five years ago that you slipped away from us. During this last year, when it's been so difficult for people with COPD, I've thought of you often, and truly missed your sense of humor. Every once in awhile there would be something particularly clever and I'd think, "That's something Quibble would have sent me!" We miss you and know that you live on in our memories.

Thinking of dear Quibble on EFFORTS. She was an inspiration to us all. Rest peacefully. Violet❤

One final word to my dearest Marilyn. I am so grateful, and happy for the wonderful service on March 1st, 2016. I want to thank everyone who made this all possible. Way too many to mention, but especially Fr. Marty Lally, who presided over the mass, many comments of how so many felt welcomed no matter what religion or none. God bless all our friends and family. HYH my Marilyn/Quibble.

L to R, Steve Eagan, Will Steinsiek, Jean Jackson, Larry Hanna, and Marilyn Sundt react to something Marilyn has said in August 1968 Albuquerque.

I worked with Marilyn at both Frederic Printing and Communigraphics. Although I didn't know Marilyn very well personally, I distinctly remember her very witty and dry sense of humor.
Deepest condolences to the Sundt Family.

Although we didn't know Marilyn personally, Elaine and I are thinking of you. Through bowling we have come to know you and we want you and your entire family to have a special prayer for this very difficult time. Know that you have our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Elaine Palmer

Marilyn and I were friends for years. We shared a love of reading, tea, animals, art, the Botanic Gardens and theater. We worked in the printing industry but usually not at the same place until we were both at Communigraphics in the late 1990s. There, we shared space in a pretty small cubicle. We laughed, complained and laughed some more.
Watching Marilyn live through chronic illness for the last 20 years was an inspiration. She got up to go to yoga or PR or out for tea on days when she...

Marilyn and I have been friends since we were 7 years old. I gave her the nickname "Quibble" when we were in 9th grade, and she quickly adopted it as her "nom de plume". We exchanged daily letters when we were in college and shared the challenges of motherhood when our sons were born. She has always been there for me and I can't believe she is gone. I will miss you always, Marilyn: I loved your intelligence, artistic creativity, love of frogs, and dry wit.
My husband and I had the...