Lucille Stanaway

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of Lucille Stanaway at her current home at the Gardens of St. Elizabeth.  Born Lucille Bernadette Canjar in Denver, Colorado, the youngest child of 10.  Lu is survived by her loving husband and best friend, James R. Stanaway, Mary (Drobnick) Canjar, Bill and Susan Stanaway, Tim and Marie Stanaway, Sister Selina Stanaway, Joan and Jim Kerns, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Denver’s Eastern European enclave of Globeville, Lu attended Holy Rosary Grade School and Annunciation High School.  After graduation she left to join the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas.  As a nun, she taught social studies and language arts at elementary and junior high schools in Helena, Montana. Lucille was part of a team of nuns and priests who set up religious instruction classes in parishes throughout Helena during the school year.  James Stanaway, a Catholic priest, was also on that team.  After her final school year, Lu left Helena to finish her Masters degree at the University of Detroit and realized that she had feelings for Jim that she’d never had for anyone before.  When she returned to Helena, she and Jim discovered that their feelings were mutual.  She left the convent and Jim left the priesthood, and after receiving dispensation from the church, the two were married in Denver in 1973.  In 1982, Lu won the Irish Sweepstakes which provided the couple funds to purchase a new home.  Lu finished her working career as an Executive Secretary at Amoco.  She and Jim enjoyed attending all the local team sporting events.  You could find them on the golf course on many weekends.  A highlight of Lu’s athletic talent was evident when she scored a hole-in-one at the Vail Golf Club in July, 1987.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Mary (Boytz) Canjar, and siblings, Frank, Mary, Raymond, Leo (Mary), Helen, Rev. John, Florence Putnik (George), Catherine Smith (Everett), and Margaret Braukman (William).

Her kind smile and warm heart will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial in the Chapel at Horan & McConaty, 3020 Federal Blvd., Denver, Colorado, with committal services immediately following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Vincent Home, 4159 Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO  80211.