Rebecca Kay Mangin

Becky was born December 11, 1952, in West Des Moines, IA, to Perry and Virgene (Potter) Shirbroun. Her childhood was filled with hot summer days, picnics, girls’ softball games and family reunions. Her penchant for getting into mischief led her mother to nickname her the “pill”. Becky graduated from Northern Iowa University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, with an endorsement in Elementary Education. Following graduation, Becky headed west, seeking to fix the world, one child at a time!

The mountains are where she met the love of her life and fellow dreamer, Larry Mangin. They married in 1977, on a Colorado mountaintop. Together, Becky and Larry went on to build their home in the mountains above Boulder, amidst the wildflowers, where they raised two children, Hillary, and Tyler. Becky was the heart of her family.

In 1983, Becky earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Early Childhood Education was a professional passion for her, she was constantly fascinated by childhood growth and development. Besides being a mom, Becky did contract educational work including training licensed childcare providers throughout the state of Colorado, collaborating with University of Colorado research team studying intrinsic and extrinsic behavior in elementary age children, and developing and implementing various preschool and summer school programs for public and private educational institutions in the area. She worked for the City of Boulder as a Resource and Referral Specialist, matching families with local childcare options. She worked for Boulder Valley Schools strengthening and licensing their Kindergarten Enrichment program and later worked for the district again supporting Special Education Students as a bus aid. Becky also was passionate about training the next generation of educators. She was an Early Childhood Instructor for Front Range Community college and pioneer in the development of on-line course content and standards during her time as a faculty member at Colorado Community Colleges Online.

Becky was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her devoted husband, of 45 years, Larry, her daughter, Hillary (Chris) Olson, Poplar, WI, her son, Tyler (Kristen Antony) of Denver and her four grandchildren, Carter, Reece, Aubree, and Zach Olson.

A celebration of Becky’s life will be held this summer. In Becky’s memory donations can be sent to Impact on Education (impactoneducation.org) an organization that she volunteered with and whose mission she was deeply committed to.

“Play is the work of childhood.” ― Jean Piaget

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Mangin family.