Mary L. LaVan
January 4, 1936 ~ May 2, 2009
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Mary L. LaVan, 73, a true Christian, went to be with the Lord on May 2, 2009. Survived by her loving husband, Ronald E. LaVan; children, Steven Hood, Colorado Springs, Michael (Lynn) Hood, Pueblo, Bruce (Patty) Hood, Mesa, Ariz., Scott (Betsy) Hood, Loveland, Ronald Strandberg, Anchorage, Alaska, Brenda Dees, Pueblo, Lorna (Bruce) Elmer, Kent, Wash., Kimberly (Jeff) Kirkwood, Denver; siblings, Naomi Hines, Ruth McDowell, both of Pueblo, Lois Spriggs, Moffat, Larry Lemon, of Miss., Danny Lemon, Saguache,; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Also survived by close friend, Fern Farley of Ohio. Preceded in death by her parents, 2 infant children, daughter, Rebecca Williams, and her brother, Marvin Lemon. Born, January 4, 1936 in Windfield, Kansas and was a longtime Pueblo resident. Mary enjoyed fishing and bluegrass music. Member of the First United Methodist Church, where she was very active , serving on numerous committees and volunteering with many activities. There will be no viewing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2009, at First United Methodist Church, 11th & Court St., with the Rev. Dr. Rick Calhoun, officiating. The family respectfully requests the omission of flowers. Those who desire may make memorial to either the First United Methodist Church or to the Joni Fair Hospice House, c/o Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, Colo. 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com.
I’ve just found out about Mary Lou’s passing and I’m at a loss for words.
Even though I left Pueblo twenty two years ago, we still kept in touch.
I’m going to miss Mary Lou very much, and my heart goes out to Ron because I know he’s going to feel a great emptiness with her gone.
Ron and Family,
I will always appreciate your and Mary’s warm welcome to me ten months ago. I was blessed to offer prayers in her final days, but even more blessed to feel the presence of God every time we prayed together and met. I thank you for the blessing her life has been to me and know I will be there for you all in the days ahead.
My mother is a great mother and a great person…
Not a superhero but just a mother.
She has made mistakes but also learned from them.
She also forgave us when we made mistakes, my siblings and I.
I know she is in a good place. A place full of love and life.
I know she is with my sister and many others that have passed before her.
I also know that she is with our Heavenly Father.
I know these because I felt GOD touching me.
My mom taught me many lessons over her life on this earth.
Some I chose to ignore taking a separate path, some I ignored because I though I knew more than she did.
I also heeded some not because it was right or wrong but because she was mom.
I will miss her smile and warm heart especially when I need to seek guidance and strength.
When we lost my sister a few years back, I felt I should have been stronger for my mother than I was.
But it was my mother who gave me the strength to continue. And I did.
Over time I have had many close friends and love ones pass on and leave the physical world.
But none of them has left me with so much emptiness as my mother.
I know my mother is in a good place. It is the place I want to be when I die.
One of my co-workers noted that it is times like these that put life’s priorities in perspective very clearly for most of us. I encourage all of you to make time to think about… and more importantly… act (spend time) on your top priorities… (your family & friends).
Thank you for all your love and support Mom and GOD bless.
She was a very good person and the best grandma that I had. It was hard to leave back to arizona when she was in the hospitol. I knew it would happen soon but not that fast. She always cared about everybody else first then herself. I will missed her so much. My life will never be the same without her.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
It’s hard to find the words to say how much Mom meant to me. When I first met her, I was scared that she wouldn’t accept me into the family; I was wrong. She opened her arms and heart to me and never looked back. She was always loving and kind and accepted me even with my crazy hippy ways. I will miss playing euchre with her and Dad. Bruce and Dad almost always beat me and Mom at euchre but we had lots of fun losing. I have learned a lot about life & love from Mom and hope that I can be as wonderful to everyone around me as she was to me. I will miss you so much…
We are very sorry for your loss. Are hearts go out to you and your family. We will keep you in our pryers.
On behalf of Patty’s family of co-workers at Microchip, we offer our sympathy to your family at this difficult time.
I was so sorry to hear about Mary & I will be holding you, Ron in my prayers. You & Mary both have been special to me since I met you some years ago.
God bless & take care of yourself.
Marilyn
Thanks for taking such good care of my cousin Ronnie. You were always so much fun to visit with and you will be missed. Until I see you again face to face…love, Fern
Mom, Thank you for being a great mother and a wonderful person. We are going to dearly miss you. Love always, Bruce and Patty
I am so sorry for your lost I know
we only meet one time but I feel like I know you because of patty .
I will keep both in my prays
Mary, I was blessed by God in this life with 2 mothers: my mom and you, my stepmom. I am so grateful that you had such a big heart that you could include me and my family as part of your family. Bruce and I and Timothy and Amanda will miss your earthly presence in our lives, but the spirit of your love and the sparkle of your smile will be with us always. Thank you for being our beloved Mary.
Such a delightful and caring person. We will miss her.
Dear sweet mary, it seems like yesterday that we met at the most beautiful place of God’s Creation. The Grand Canyon. When you and Ron moved to the canyon, how little did we know that our paths would continue to pass, even in Ohio.It is great that God decided that we would be the best of friends, the four of us…. and your family brought us even closser together.. how time flies.. Even after miles and distance came between us, there is no distance of space witnin the spirit.. The pathway of remembrance is open anytime we wish to remember special times of smiles, tears and friendship. Your light will forever shine in loved ones here.. Thanks for the memories… Fern…