Margaret Brisnehan

Margaret M. Brisnehan, age 94, died peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Margaret was born in a small house in northwest Denver on April 9, 1926 to Mary and Albert Haberer. Her Dad had a 6th grade education and shoveled coal off a coal car for 10 cents a ton.  Her Mom, who had a college degree – unusual for a woman in those days – educated her Dad so that he could pass a Civil Service exam; which he did and became a letter carrier.  When Margaret was 13 her mother passed away. As the oldest child, she became a part-time caretaker for her sister and four brothers.

Margaret started studies as a Nurse Cadet at Mercy Hospital in 1944, willing to serve in the war-time effort.However, WWII had finished by her graduation in 1947.On her graduation day she got engaged to Joseph Brisnehan at Elitch’s Trocadero ballroom.They got married on October 2, 1947 and Margaret started her nursing career.In September, 1948 they had the first of their six children, and Margaret chose to be a stay-at-home Mom.Twenty years later, Margaret took a refresher course and landed a part-time job as a nurse at Lutheran Hospital.She retired 23 years later at the age of 65.In 1995 Margaret’s husband, Joe, passed away after a long illness and she continued her journey, living independently in their house for 23 years.She then moved to assisted living, and for the last six months of her life she was under the loving care of her daughter Anne (and Paul) in their home.

Margaret was a life-long member of Holy Family parish, having attended 12 years of school and serving many roles as an adult, including: Past President and current member of the Altar and Rosary Society, President of the Women’s Bowling League, volunteer for social/fund raising activities such as the annual bazaar and semi-annual cinnamon roll sale, and member of the bereavement committee where she baked many Texas sheet cakes for grieving families. For over 20 years, she also attended daily Mass and weekly adoration.

Margaret loved entertaining and was always eager to host family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter celebrations; birthday parties; small group Catholic dinner get-togethers; and informal nights playing cards or dominoes.She lived in North Denver her whole life, but also enjoyed travel across the United States and to Canada, Ireland, Scotland and Italy.

Margaret was preceded in death by husband Joe and brothers Dick and Paul Haberer.She is survived by siblings: Tom, Jim, and Marlene Haberer; children: Mike (Shirley), Pat (Linda), Dave (Susan), Mark (Janice), Anne (Paul) Shimek, and Sharon (Tim) Elstad; 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Due to Covid-19, the family will be holding a private service.Memorial contributions are welcome at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4377 Utica St, Denver, CO 80212