In Loving Memory of
Mary Lynn Stein
1942 – 2021
Virtual Celebration of Life was held on March 6, 2021 at 1:30 PM MST
Watch the Celebration of Life
Mary Lynn Stein passed away in Denver on Wednesday, February 8th, 2021 due to cancer. She was 78.
Mary was beloved for her easygoing, friendly nature, making lifelong friends wherever she went. Though unassuming, she possessed a sharp wit and was widely read and knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and almost any kind of cultural or literary event.
Mary was born in Grand Island, NY to Eileen and Edward Shanley, the oldest of four sisters. She and her sisters grew up in Buffalo, NY and Winchester, MA, where they attended Winchester High School. As a girl Mary also worked as a lifeguard and counselor at a summer camp in Maine.
After high school her adventurous spirit led her to Colorado State University, where she studied while skiing and exploring the mountains, graduating in Sociology in 1964. At CSU she met native Coloradan George H. Stein who would become her husband and with whom she raised two children, Tanya Kern and Russell Stein.
As a young couple Mary and George lived in Watertown, MA, where Mary began working as a social worker. Later they moved to Scotland and traveled all over Europe including a memorable trip to Russia, which was part of the Soviet Union at the time.
Back in the US, they settled in Mattapoisett, MA, where they enjoyed sailing on Buzzards Bay, and later Hingham, where Mary became a dedicated mom, managing her kids’ involvement in the public schools, youth soccer, violin, horseback riding, and dance programs. In the 70s and 80s her home on Crow Point was a busy, social place filled with books and music, and served as home base for outings to Boston and camping trips and excursions all over New England. Cape Cod’s and coastal Maine’s beaches and New Hampshire’s lakes and ski hills were favored destinations. Later Mary’s literary interests led her to become the owner of the bookstore in Hingham Square.
In the 90s after returning briefly to social work in Jamaica Plain, Mary moved to Carbondale, CO and became active in outdoor clubs, skiing and hiking in the mountains while serving as a caseworker for child protective services in Garfield County. She lived in a lovely condo in Carbondale across from a horse pasture.
More recently Mary relocated to Denver to be closer to her daughter and to take advantage of the city’s cultural and art offerings, frequently attending theater, dance and concert performances, and she was popular with a wide circle of friends.
As she enjoyed working with children she worked as a nanny for several years after retiring, including for the Anchutz family, a position which allowed her to travel the world first class, highlights including visits to Australia, Asia, Europe, and Iceland.
Famous for her long walks, Mary was energetic and active throughout her life and was always busy planning her next outing. In recent years she could often be found walking around the lake by her home in Denver’s Athmar neighborhood, where she took a special interest in native bird species.
Above all, Mary was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and she’ll be missed by everyone who knew her.
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We are sorry for your loss. Mary Lynn was a treasure. We were privileged to visit with her at a family wedding in Phoenix.
Love David and Helen Brogan
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Hi Tanya and Russell – I just found out about Mary’s passing. I’m sorry for your loss.
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Such a beautiful service. I thank you Mary’s family. I miss my friend. Thank you for allowing me to participate
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She was such a treasure! My granddaughter certainly loved her….as did those who knew her!❤️
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Tanya and Russ, my heart hurts for both of you. I cherish the memories I have had with your mom. The dinners, brunches, holidays and birthdays!! I always had a great time with her!!! My best memory was when your mom hosted my entire family at her house in April 2019. We had such a great time and my family enjoyed your mom so much!!!
Your mom is such an inspiration to me with her huge heart, adventure, stamina, and high energy and spirit. I love your mom and will miss her!
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This was such a lovely tribute, thank you for sharing your Mom with me. Tanya, you definitely inherited her high energy spirit. My heart hurts, thinking about your loss.
Love Leslie
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I will always remember Mary from the wonderful time we had in Scotland and our totally unique trip to Tunisia. She was a lovely person and she will be missed.
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Tanya, Mike, and Russ ~ we love your family. Thank for you for hosting many fun times with Mary! These are wonderful memories. Mary was engaging and fun to talk with, such a good person! Her genuine pride for each of you made us smile often. We will miss her and her enthusiasm.
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Mary was one of my best friends.I will miss her& grieve her loss .Grief is the price we pay for loving well.I do hope Mary felt my love toward her; I most certainly felt her love.
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Mary was a lovely, smart, generous woman. I will miss her very much.
With deepest sympathy,
Pilar
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I will always remember Mary’s smile and caring nature. I feel lucky to have been a part of Tanya’s CA family, and it was so great when we all wound up living in CO together. Mary always added sunshine and positivity to any gathering or adventure. She will be missed
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I have always enjoyed Mary’s company. While I was in Denver we visited the Denver Art Museum, Botanical Gardens, movies and the mall having lunch afterwards.. Of course, going with our kids for dinner and hikes. Our son was fortunate to have Mary as his mother in law. We will miss her.
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Mary was the best. Funny and smart, she was up for anything, particularly political demonstrations. She always amazed us with her resilience. We loved her and will miss her.
Laura and Michael
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Mary was such a sweet lady! She lived next to my sister in Denver for a brief while and we got to know her over brunch one day.
I am glad to read that Mary had a great life full of love and adventure, and though she will be missed, her life remains an inspiration to us all : )
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Tanya,
Jim and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family. We are so sorry for you loss. We know how close you were with your Mom and hope that your memories bring comfort. You took such great care of her. We will always remember her smile and how fun and interesting she was to talk to.
Melissa and Jim
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A very dear friend will be terribly missed. All my love to her family.
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Tanya and Russ, Our deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family. It was such a pleasure to know your Mom. She was always so kind and we enjoyed all the times we got to share time with her over dinners over the years. She accomplished so much in her life with such energy and passion–a true inspiration. We will miss her. Sending our love, Jannett and CR
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Mary was my soulmate from the moment we met in our dorm at CSU. We shared a special bond that included joining the same sorority, my going back to MA with her for a summer, her living with me for a quarter during our sophomore year in college, having two children the same ages, our trips to Cape Cod which always included time with the Steins, a friend’s trip to New England to retrace places we’d loved. Then she moved to CO, and we continued to spare special times, our private train trip on the Anchutz train car to Winter Park, her special times with our granddaughters, her surrogate granddaughters, time enjoying the music of Zach. Her keeping our dog for three months while we went to Panama. SO SO many memories that I treasure while I deeply grieve the memories we won’t get to make. Dear, sweet Mary, our whole family will miss you terribly. Dianne