Elizabeth (Betty) L. Houlehan

Elizabeth (Betty) L. Houlehan, 87, of Denver, CO, passed away peacefully, on June 7, 2020. Betty was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Charles & Florence Courtad. Although her life began in a time of historic hardships and frugality, she and her younger brother Chuck and sister Peggy enjoyed a very happy, fulfilling childhood, never having a sense of being without.  This mindset was thoughtfully nurtured by their parents who made sure that they were well educated, loved and cared for, and instilled with a strong faith in God. She often talked about how happy her childhood was, and how her mom in particular provided a constant sense of simplicity and joy for life. Chuck and Peggy always recall Betty’s optimistic love of life, and her spirit inclined to discovery and adventure. We know that spirit sparkles and brightens heaven today.

Betty was educated in catholic schools; she graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland, where she made lifelong friends and wonderful memories that never faded throughout her life. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from St. John’s College. She worked for a summer at Cedar Point and lived on Bass Island, Ohio and then had another unforgettable summer on Cape Cod working at the Old Yarmouth Inn. As a young woman, Betty moved to Colorado with friends, drawn by the boundless beauty and intrigue of the Rocky Mountains, ski areas and national parks. She took advantage of all that Colorado offered - skiing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, ice skating, fly fishing, and so much more -it was now hers for the taking, and she happily shared this lifestyle with family and friends for more than 50 years. Her first destination in Colorado was Estes Park, where she had been hired as a counselor at Cheley Camp for a very fun-filled, active summer. She then headed to Aspen, where she lived and worked at the T-Lazy-7 Ranch. She absolutely relished the fact that ski slopes and the surrounding beauty were now part of her backyard!  Eventually she moved back to Denver where she proudly worked for United Airlines and was so grateful for the benefit of being able to take her Mom on travel adventures.  She then taught kindergarten at Christ the King School.  Soon after she met Don, who would become her husband of 59 years. After getting married, she moved to Boulder, for Don to attend CU Law School, and to start a family. There she worked for physics professor Dr. Correll, at the University of Colorado, a job she loved, to help support her husband's furthering education and her growing family. Enjoying all that Boulder offered, her primary focus and delight was being a very hands-on mother to her young children, Michael, Mary, Megan, and Kitsie.  Betty loved being a mom above all, and shared her enthusiasm for the outdoors, people, fun, and adventure with her children in countless creative ways. Boulder was a perfect environment for raising her young family. Career opportunities resulted in moving back to Denver, and now with a family of 6, she became very involved in her children’s schools, community affairs, and local politics. Skiing was the all consuming family sport and social center piece. Vail, Winter Park, and Copper Mountain were weekly destinations. The arrival of buckle ski boots was a notable event as they provided welcome relief from lacing the boots of 4 children and friends who regularly joined them on the slopes. She volunteered with the Denver Election Commission, and was a loyal representative of the League of Women Voters. She adored the family dogs Shamrock, Kelly, later Ashley, and Pounce-upon the cat.    

When the nest emptied, she studied and furthered her painting skills with artist Nancy Condit, studied geomorphology at UCD, and was immersed in endless reading and booksharing. Fly fishing  with her friend Carol Berry became her personal escape. During an incredible and memorable trip to Europe with Mike, Mary, and Kitsie, she fulfilled her goal and dream of getting to Giverney & sitting for hours with Monet's water lilies and in the gardens. At home, her brother and sister in law, Drs Chuck and Jeanette Courtad, and their children Finn and Brigid, were integral to her life, celebrating so many holidays, laughter, and love and warmth that is especially felt, and missed today. Betty loved the time spent with her sister Peggy and her husband Joe Eichler, and their children, Sue, Linda, and Mary and Joe Jr . Peggy's Thanksgiving trip to Colorado and the sleigh ride to dinner above Keystone was an event she cherished. She loved opening her world atlas to follow the moves, travels, and adventures of her family and friends.

After tragedy struck and losing her husband Don in 2017, she rehabilitated in a nursing home and then moved to Atlanta with her daughter Megan's family.  Betty had cherished time together with her young grandchildren, Parker and Kelly, hiking, playing, enjoying holidays together and now as adults they evolved to become her best friends while her son-in-law Dick provided anchoring strength for her and was her companion in wit, sass and humor. Her new puppy, Murphy, became her constant companion, protector and smilegiver. Visits from Mike, Mary, Kitsie, and the Courtads were filled with adventure, love and fun and provided joy beyond words.  Her spirit never wavered. Betty drew great strength from her faith in God and she was a beautiful reflection of His love throughout her life.  She was a lifelong Catholic. Her true gift of Unconditional Love and her faith was witnessed by all, her unimaginable strength an inspiration; she most certainly has an exceptional place in Heaven. 

Betty is known above all by her relationships and her love for others. Her children knew they were unconditionally loved by her, as did all of her family and dear friends, and she was profoundly loved and adored by them.  Each of her children felt that she was their best friend, great confidant, and partner in fun. She was a rock of support and a voice of reason for them throughout her life. She so loved her mom and dad, her brother and sister,  her children and grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, her cousins and aunts and uncles, her friends, her godsons, her children’s friends, her dogs, and so many others in her life.  Even people meeting her for the first time felt important and loved by her, because they were.  She loved people with such a pure, simple and genuine heart.

She will be forever known for her stunning, alpine blue eyes. When you looked into them, they sparkled and illuminated her beautiful soul. She used those captivating eyes to lessen someone's pain, to unintentionally charm an unexpected observer, sparkle with impending mischief, to study and admire the people she cared about, to help create amazing artwork in her water-color paintings, exquisite floral design, and to absorb all of the magnificence of nature. She also used them to have private conversations with the animals she loved, and to forewarn us kids that we were about to be grounded.  Oh, beautiful blue-eyed Betty.

Our Mom, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, best friend; Our Queen Elizabeth. We Love You!