Shirley Ann Spahn

Shirley Ann Spahn (Schmitz) died on the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, Friday, January 3, 2025 in her home in Englewood, Colorado. She was the youngest child of John Peter Schmitz and Margaret Melissa Raleigh. Her father worked for the Franciscans who were pastors of Saint Elizabeth Church in Denver, where the family worshiped and where Shirley attended grammar school. She graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1949 and went on to study nursing at Loretto Heights College where she worked in the dining hall to pay her tuition. She married Eugene Francis Spahn, the best friend of her older brother Ed and also a member of the Saint Elizabeth's community, on January 18, 1954, along with Ed and his bride Eleanor Garramone in Saint Dominic's Church in Denver. After the birth of their first child, Mary Rose (Johnson), the family moved to California, where Katherine Marie (Wood) was born.

Shirley and Eugene moved the family back to Denver to be of support to their aging parents. Shirley used her nursing degree in geriatric healthcare at Beverly Manor and later as nurse and nursing director at Parkview Manor nursing homes in Denver. She would serve a similar role at Beth Israel Hospital. And of course, go on to have another eight children - Gregory Francis, Joseph Damian, Philip Eugene, Thomas Andrew, James Steven, Martin Lewis, Jeanette Marie and Steven Fredrick - all of whom grew up in the modest family home in Sheridan, Colorado purchased in 1958.

Shirley brought a remarkable competency and compassion to her responsibilities as a nurse, cherishing the opportunity to care for the vulnerable -- especially those who were near death. For Shirley, nursing was no mere job, it was a genuine vocation. In her managerial responsibilities, she encouraged her colleagues to be more than just capable, but also kind. For her, patients were people first and foremost, and she endeavored to know and understand them, their stories and their families.

As a mother and homemaker, she showered her children with love and affection, often carrying the larger share of parenting responsibilities. She was an avid and resourceful baker. Much to the delight of her children (and the frustration of her husband) her desserts would often outshine the main courses. The legendary Spahn sweet tooth is decidedly owed to her tasty handiwork.

In her free time, Shirley applied herself to transforming her modest suburban plot into a truly eye-popping flower garden. Over the years, every inch of sod was replaced by countless cubic yards of topsoil adorned with a kaleidoscopic array of Colorado mountain rocks. She aspired in her flower garden for a rich and diverse pallet of colors, textures and sizes. Though largely a perennial garden, she was not averse to tucking-in the occasional annual for its vibrancy and consistency of summer color. The effect was something extraordinary -- approaching an English garden in Denver's high-altitude desert. One neighbor once remarked that rounding the corner on Green Court and approaching the Spahn house was like moving from black-and-white into color. Until her disabling November 2021 stroke, Shirley could be found at any hour of the day patiently and tenderly cultivating her garden. In fact, in the weeks before her stroke, this 90-year-old woman planted over 300 spring-blooming bulbs, many of which continue to remind us of her resilience and beauty.

Shirley was an avid reader. Her interest revolved principally around matters of theology and Scripture. Over the years she covered the sort of territory one would expect of an academic theologian.

Shirley's faith was undeniably the most important element of her life. It sustained her in the difficult times that inevitably came with the demands of a career and a large family. She adorned her house from floor to ceiling with images of her family and the Holy Family. It was nothing short of a shrine. Her faith was never boastful, but always demonstrative. She had a special devotion -- inherited from her mother -- to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In that Heart, aflame with love, she found an abiding home and a model for a life of tender and tenacious loving. It was difficult to compliment Shirley, as every hint of praise she would redirect to the Lord. Thank you were the two words forever on her lips. Thank you to her family and most of all thank you to God who was the source of all of her light and life. She is survived by many, although predeceased by an entire generation of family and friends - including her siblings Josephine, Patricia, Bernard, John and Edward.

In her eternal life in Christ, she joins her husband Eugene Francis and sons Philip Eugene and Martin Lewis. Celebrating her life with thanksgiving are her surviving children: Mary Johnson (Greg) of Denver, Colorado; Katherine Wood (Mike) of Paonia, Colorado; Gregory (Jeanne) of Boulder, Colorado; Joseph (Nuri) of Wilmington, Delaware; Thomas of Englewood, Colorado; Rev. Father James of the Archdiocese of Denver; Thanh Nguyen (Melody) of Boulder, Colorado; Jeanette Bowles of Denver, Colorado; Jesuit Father Steven of Baltimore. Her grandchildren: Geoffrey (Sara) and David Johnson, Sarah Wood, Beth Losin (Kyle), Mark and Julie Bowles, Anisah and Nadyah Spahn, George (Xu Guo) and Eli Spahn and Sally and Maria Nguyen. Her great grandchildren: Alethia and Sasha Johnson.

Members of her family honor and remember her with these words below and in the comments to follow:

Joe and Nuri Spahn: Our dear sweet mom Shirley was a beautiful soul, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she met. She had a true passion for gardening, tending to her flowers and plants with such care, always finding joy in watching them bloom. She instilled that same love of gardening in all of her children. She would always bring us a hand-picked beautiful bouquet of flowers from her yard. Her baking was another gift she shared generously, filling her home with the sweet scents of love. A favorite was when mom made her snickerdoodle cookies. She would always have a plate full for us to take home. Above all, her faith was the cornerstone of her life-her deep belief in kindness, compassion, and the power of prayer inspired all who knew her. She had a heart full of love, always ready to lend a helping hand, and her gentle spirit will be deeply missed. Even though Shirley and my mom Rahima came from very different cultures and religions, their bond was a testament to the power of love, kindness, and respect. They were two of the kindest souls you'd ever meet. Their differences never stood in the way of their deep connection, and in many ways, it made their friendship even more beautiful. It was a rare and beautiful thing to see how they embraced each other's backgrounds, and their shared love for humanity and faith united them in a way that left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to have been touched by it. We will miss you, our amazing Mom!

Kathy and Mike Wood: Mom was the strongest woman we have ever known. She had a hard life and yet she never complained. She was always grateful for everything and everyone in her life. Her strong faith and positive spirit as well as her 'take one day at a time' philosophy helped her navigate all the difficulties. All who knew and met her were blessed by her kindness and loving heart. She will be missed.

Thanh Nguyen and Melody McCoy: We will forever treasure her endless love and nurturing.

Fr. Steve Spahn, SJ: She was the best mom a boy ever had! The promise of seeing her again will be a daily inspiration to live a life of joyful hope.

Mary Johnson: It's been 6 weeks since my Mom's death, but she is never far from my mind or heart. The world is a better place from my Mom being in it, and I love that her spirit and kindness live on in all of us who loved her. My favorite memories are of my Mom gardening. She was such an amazing and gifted gardener who had the best green thumb. She transformed her whole front and back yards into the most beautiful gardens. She taught me how to garden, and some of my most cherished memories are of planting bulbs and perennials with her in my backyard. Many of these are still living. I can't wait for spring when they will come to life again and remind me of my Mom. Some people see their loved ones' spirit when they see a certain bird or butterfly, but for me, it will always be the flowers she loved!

Jeanette Bowles: Mom you will always be my hero! Thank you for teaching us to joyfully love others and never count the cost.

This obituary was lovingly posted on Valentine's Day in memory of mom who humbly considered herself. God's funny little valentine.