Mary B. Blue

Mary Brunhofer Blue passed away peacefully on Sunday September 8th with her family by her side. Mary was born in San Jose, California on December 8, 1943, to Karl Bernard Brunhofer and Margaret Kathryn Rose Brunhofer. She attended school in Marin County, California, graduating from San Rafael High School in 1961. Mary then enrolled at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. After one year, Mary moved to San Jose to work to pay off her loans. In 1963, Mary moved to Colorado, where her two brothers Tom and Jack lived to see what the Rocky Mountains were all about. Mary lived for a while with Tom and his family in Sterling, continuing her education at Northeastern Junior College. It was here that Mary met her first husband, Preston Skitt, while attending classes. Preston and Mary were married in 1965.

Mary discovered her passion for teaching while working at a recreation center in San Rafael. She knew it was her calling, so she continued her studies to become an elementary teacher at University of Northern Colorado, graduating in 1970 with a double degree in elementary education/special education. Mary began her teaching career in Baltimore, Maryland, where she remained for three years. During this time, her husband, Preston served in the army in Viet Nam. After fulfilling his military service, the couple moved back to Colorado. Mary then taught school in Thompson School District and continued her education at Colorado State University to earn her administrative license, graduating with a Master’s Degree in 1982. Due to her intelligence and strong organizational skills, Mary was soon hired as an assistant principal in the Aurora Public Schools, followed by a principalship at her beloved Vassar Elementary School. Mary was adored by her Vassar staff. She had numerous Student Teachers and felt it was an important program and of course did a wonderful job getting those students ready to go into the classroom. She was held in high regard by her peers, parents and students. She received several awards/accolades during her time teaching and administrating.

After retirement, in the early 2000’s Mary and Keith moved to the Polo Club Condominium in Cherry Creek, where they lived until their passing. Here they married, made many new friends, reconnected with old friends, and were very active in the social activities at the Polo Club. Keith’s family cabin in the Big Thompson Canyon became their refuge from the city and they spent most long weekends there. During the Christmas season, friends would be invited to the cabin to collect greens and celebrate the holiday season.

Mary’s family was everything to her. She adored her siblings, nieces and nephews and made many trips to see them, especially when her siblings started having babies, whether to California (also working in a trip to the Wine Country) or to attend a college football game in Indiana or the annual Christmas celebration in Eagle. Aunt Mary was very special, very loving and very generous.

Mary was a long-time volunteer at the Denver Art Museum and was an active member of the Denver Historical Society, focusing on historic preservation. She also was a generous contributor to many charities. Mary and Keith had a busy social life with friends and family, including her MACK group at the Polo Club and her twenty-five year gourmet group. Mary had many devoted friends with whom she enjoyed seeing movies, traveling and socializing with. She was always the consummate hostess, making each guest feel valued and pampered. Mary connected with her relatives in Germany and made several trips there as they did here in America. She and her sister organized a very fun-filled family reunion in Breckenridge for her American and German families. This tradition has continued into the present.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jack Paison and her husband, Keith Blue. She is survived by her brothers, Tom Paison (Carla) of Sterling; Bill Brunhofer (Susan) of Pennsylvania; David Brunhofer (Diane) of California and sister Missy Worthey (Jay) of California and sister-in-law Bonnie Paison. Mary is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Kelly Roberts, Casey Paison, Katherine Senn (Bob), David Paison (Sara), James “Chip” Paison (Joan), Aaron Brunhofer (Lindsey), Alexis Ormes (Garry), Ethan Brunhofer, Ginny Hautau (Matt), Nick Hinman (Jenny), Leslie Benzon (Justin), and 12 great-nieces and nephews and numerous cousins in Germany and Michigan.

When thinking about Mary, words that come to mind are loving, nurturing, sparkling, accomplished and devoted. We will miss you, Mary. Prost!