Maria Raquel McCue

Maria’s memories of and stories about growing up in the area of Colorado Springs known as Pleasant Valley were always a source of great joy to her. Her loving, supportive family, lifelong friendships and caring neighbors shaped the special person she became as an adult. She never was more animated than when she related stories of spending hours swimming and sunbathing at the Valley Swim Club, hiking in Garden of the Gods, sledding down the hill by Howbert Elementary after the first snow, walking with friends to Holmes Junior High or taking the “shortcut” up the hill to Coronado High School before she got her drivers’ license. There were also stories, in abundance, about Tour America One and Tour America Two when the Logue family loaded up the motor home and traveled North to South and East to West during two consecutive summer vacations.

After graduation from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Maria began her first career job in marketing and event planning at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. She went on to work in sales in telecommunication, and later used her sales organizational skills to promote non-profits in the Pinehurst, North Carolina area and in Denver, Colorado with the Chamber of Commerce. She described these as “the most challenging, but the best jobs she ever had.”

Several months ago, after a dinner conversation, Maria, a gifted writer, was inspired to write a short life story which she shared with several family members. We now share with you excerpts from her story in her own words:

“Maria’s biggest life gift came out of left field. Larry McCue took interest in her, and she found her best friend. Twenty-five years had never been so fun, peppered with a few drawbacks. Larry was the love of her life. And she was his “forever date.” She cherished him, talked incessantly about him, and mourned him deeply after his death.”

While Maria and Larry lived in Denver, they researched and then got a Spanish Water Dog, Inigo. They both adored the new addition to their family and spent hours training, exercising, talking about, and taking pictures of Inigo. When they moved to California, Maria began the training of Inigo as a Service Dog, which led to a new opportunity for both Inigo and Maria. Again, in her own words:

With Inigo, “Maria considered her most important accomplishment teaching children to read. Literacy was her passion. She didn’t count how many she taught, but felt genuine joy when a child looked forward to their time reading together, and when they inadvertently discovered learning is fun. She would share her reading stories with Larry, and some of those hilarious kids’ quotes became regular vernacular in their home. She kept all of the hand-made thank you cards, as well as the gratitude of the parents in her heart.”

Maria passed away unexpectedly on September 2, 2022. She often remarked that we needed to be more aware of the needs of those around us. In honor of Maria, do something kind for somebody today…if nothing more than a smile and a “Good Morning,” when you think of her.

A Mass and celebration of Maria’s life will be held in Colorado Springs, CO at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 9:00 AM on October 7, 2022 with inurnment in the columbarium following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Maria’s name to the Marion House, 228 North Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 or to the Children’s Literacy Center, 2928 Straus Lane, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.