Jeanne M. Dageforde

In loving memory of our mother, Jeanne Dageforde, who passed away in Denver, Colorado on October 6, 2012, at the age of 86. Jeanne was born July 19, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, the only child of Edward and Ann. She started piano lessons at the age of five and could read music before she could read words. She continued her piano instruction throughout her school years and performed six pieces in an academic recital just before graduating from Trinity High School in 1944. She attended Mundelein College for two years. She then transferred to K-State in Manhattan, Kansas, to get a degree in home economics textiles, a new major, with minors in journalism and chemistry. She graduated in 1949. She met Kenneth Dageforde at K-State when he took his meals at the boarding house where she lived. They were married in September of 1949 in Chicago, and then lived for a few years in Kansas and Iowa. Jeanne recalled fondly the year they were tenant farmers, on the Livermore Farm, where they had a large garden in the front yard. She wrote that, ""farming has its ups and downs, especially at times of weather problems, but there's something about it that is good for a man's soul."" In 1958, they settled for good in Colorado, starting with 10 years in Boulder. Jeanne and Ken had ten children. Ken passed away in 1973, so much of the children's upbringing was left up to Jeanne. She was a very determined and multitalented woman who did everything she could to provide for her family. Her work included editing the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper and being the Head Start Director in Canon City, where she lived for over 20 years starting in 1968, before moving to Pueblo for 18 years, then Denver for six. A devout Catholic, Jeanne's faith was of utmost importance, the guiding force that drove how she lived her life. She was a Benedictine Oblate, and a group leader for CUSA (Catholic Union of Sick in America). She was an unassuming woman who always wanted to help others, even when she herself did not have a lot. For example, in lieu of gifts for herself for Christmas, she wanted her children to donate to charities, especially ones that fed the poor. She met her spiritual sister of more than thirty years, Marion Egan, after writing to Marion about an article which Marion had written for the Sunday Visitor. In addition to her faith, family meant everything to Jeanne. As she said, she was a ""Mama Bear"" protecting her children when they were young, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren subsequently gave her great joy as well. Throughout the years, she frequently wrote a family newsletter. She also created for each of her children three very large family photo albums, and wrote a book for them and the grandchildren about the family's early years together. She is survived by her ten children, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. -------------------------------------------------------- Jeanne Dageforde, of Denver, passed away on October 6, 2012. Survived by children, Elizabeth, Judith, Mary, Margaret, Carol, Kenneth, Joan, Edward, Susan, & Michael. Also survived by eleven grandchildren & two great grandchildren. Visitation at 10:30AM, Recitation of the Rosary at 10:45AM followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00AM, Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Gardens of St. Elizabeth, 2835 West 32nd Avenue, Denver. Interment at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 South Quebec Street, Denver. Please share memories of Jeanne and condolences with her family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab below.