Mary Lu Jedamus

Mary Lu Jedamus, 85, died peacefully at her home in Boulder on Jan. 28, 2016. Born in Fall River, Wisconsin, to Will and Anna Miller, Mary Lu was educated at Lawrence University in Appleton and the University of Wisconsin, where she met her future husband, Paul Jedamus. They married on Sept. 9, 1952, and moved to Boulder the following year so that Paul could take up his position on the faculty of the CU Business School. Mary Lu and Paul met in the Pres House choir in Madison; later they both sang as soloists in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. For many years they were active members of the Church of the Apostles, a liberal offshoot of 'First Pres.' Mary Lu also worked at the United Protestant Center (later the Center for United Ministries) on the CU campus, where she met many students who became lifelong friends. For several years, Mary Lu worked in the Boulder office of the Board of County Commissioners. She was equally committed to her volunteer work: at the Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP), the Rape Crisis Center, as a victim advocate with the Boulder Police Department, and for the Conference on World Affairs. Her empathy and sense of social justice will be remembered by many. Mary Lu is survived by her daughters, Julith Jedamus (Stryker McGuire), Laurel Jedamus (Todd Ferwerda), Carrie (Allan) Heltzel, and Lissa Jedamus (Dave Denu); honorary daughter, Kenia Sanchez of Teotecacinte, Nicaragua; grandchildren, Jacob Jedamus-Denu, Rhett and Alex Denu, Emmet and Will Ferwerda, and Will McGuire; brother, Larry Wright; and eleven nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Ryssby Church, 9000 North 63rd St., at 2pm on May 15th. Memorial donations may be given in Mary Lu's name to the Boulder County AIDS Project.