Barbara Jean Stasko

Barbara Jean Stasko passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and closest friends on January 23, 2020. She was born April 3, 1937 in Denver, Colorado to Harvey and Marie Axtell. She was the oldest of 6 children; Patty (Axtell) Livermore, Kathy (Axtell) Penley, who proceeded her in death, Charlotte (Axtell) Blair, Linda (Axtell) Orlovski, and Geary Axtell. Barbara was the oldest of 40 first cousins. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Frank J. Stasko and four beautiful daughters, Suzanne (""Suzy"") Stasko-Robinson, Sandra (""Sandy"") Gomez, Shelly Cappon, and Sharon (""Shari"" / ""Lu"") Stasko, her six amazing grandchildren; Mallory Jean Gomez (Delgado), Melissa Marie (Gomez) Stieren, Helena Anne Cappon, Anya Jacqueline Cappon, Samuel James Robinson, and Sydney Marie Robinson. And 3 beautiful great grandchildren; Jaelynn Marie Delgado, Ava Rae Delgado, and Winston Leander Stieren.
Raised in Englewood, Colorado, Barbara attended St. Lewis Grade School and St. Frances De Sales High School, where she met her husband, Frank. They were married, September 6, 1958. In her high school years, Barbara was a part of the Quadrille team and performed at the Little Britches Rodeo on her horse named, Sunglow. She studied nursing at Loretto Heights College before getting married.
She worked as a PBX Operator at the Longhorn Lodge in Littleton, CO and as a Switch Board Operator at the Albany Hotel in downtown Denver. She was also a Hospital Aid at St. Joseph Hospital while attending college. After getting married, Barbara stayed home to raise her four daughters and excelled at being a top-notch homemaker. She was a very dedicated Mother who made homemade Halloween costumes, dresses for the first day of school, and outfits for summer and special occasions for her girls. When the girls were young, she taught them the importance of homemaking by teaching them how to do daily and weekly chores. Dinner time was always at a set table that included a seasonal or holiday themed centerpiece and candles. The tradition of Sunday Family dinners will continue even after her passing.
Along with being a homemaker, Barbara took a keen interest in politics and spent many hours volunteering her time on the ERA movement, a cause which she was very passionate. She foresaw a lot of the issues that women are fighting for today; maternity leave, cost of childcare, and equal treatment in the work place, truly a warrior ahead of her time. She also taught Fascinating Womanhood Classes and was very involved in her parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church of Littleton. She was on Parish Council, the Mr. & Mrs. Club, involved in Alter & Rosery, and even started a new ministry at the church called, The Martha's. She spent many hours being a Room Mother for each of her daughters' classes and was a regular participant in the PTA.
When her girls became teenagers, Barbara worked as a Mary Kay Sales Consultant, which she thoroughly loved. When she turned 50, she went to work for King Soopers Corporate office and worked there until she was 65. She made some very close acquaintances while working for King Soopers, one group she loved to spend time with called themselves, ""The Llama Heads.""
For many years Barbara bowled on a league every Tuesday afternoon. Her team was the Tuesday Noon Gliders. She also played golf in a Ladies League every summer for many years. She was always very active in her community and was one of the original organizers of the Neighborhood Block Party, a summer tradition that went on for 25 years. In 2015, several of the neighbors got together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the W. Powers Ave Block Party. These neighbors became more than ""neighbors,"" they are more like family. The Stasko Family was very active in the Knights of Columbus and The Littleton Elks Club, which Barbara often volunteered.
One of her most endearing qualities were her sweetness and her amazing ability to never forget to send a birthday card or a card for any special holiday or occasion. She would always send her nieces and nephews a birthday card with $5, and as one of her nieces said, it wasn't about the money; it was an affirmation; it was an ""I love you, I care about you,"" It was family. Aunt Barb was special, she had a grace about her that would leave a warm fuzzy in your heart. She touched us all.
Through the years Barbara overcame some serious health challenges, including 2 types of breast cancer, stage 3 thyroid cancer, and open heart surgery. She was a survivor until the end. She had the ability to always look her best, her hair done, and lip stick on, no matter what health challenge she was facing. She entered in-home Hospice for 5 days before resting peacefully in the arms of the Lord on January 23, 2020. In her final days, she never looked more beautiful, and at peace. She will truly be missed by all!

The Rosary (The Chaplet of Divine Mercy) will be on Monday, February 3rd at 10:00am at Notre Dame Catholic Church, with the funeral to follow at 11:00am. The Stasko family invites everyone to a Reception at the Littleton Elks Club #1650, 5749 South Curtice Street, Littleton, CO 80120.

Rosary: February 3, 2020 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Notre Dame Catholic Church
2190 S. Sheridan Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

Memorial Mass: February 3, 2020 11:00 am

Notre Dame Catholic Church
2190 S. Sheridan Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

Reception: February 3, 2020 1:00 pm

Littleton Elks Club #1650
5749 South Curtice Street
Littleton, Colorado 80120
(303) 794-1811