Marilyn Sue Haley

Marilyn Sue Haley entered into eternal life Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Survived by daughters Stephanie Haley-Andrews and Shannon Neville; grandchildren Ian Michael Andrews, William Hobart Neville and Tate Conrad Neville; sons-in-Law Daniel Andrews and Ryan Neville. Marilyn was born in Nowata, Oklahoma on February 15, 1939 and was adopted as a newborn by Hobart and Mae (""Mattie Mae"") Mixon, formerly Mae White. From the very beginning, Marilyn was a champion of her own destiny, as the cow's milk allergy she had as an infant (and so many others had) could have easily prevented her life from going forward, as explained by her mother Mattie Mae to Marilyn's grandchildren many years later. But nothing was going to stop her from a life well lived, rich with personal and professional accomplishments, marriage and motherhood, Catholic faith and spirituality, amazing friendships and being a champion of the underdog. As a child, Marilyn adored her parents and friends, and had the distinct honor of being named high school Basketball Queen. During high school, she was fortunate and very blessed to meet her best friend, Mary Lou Whistler (now Mary Lou McDaniel). Marilyn excelled academically and was the first person in her family to attend college at Oklahoma State University, where she received a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Political Science. She had aspirations for Law School at Rutger's School of Law and had applied for a scholarship when her beloved father, Hobart, died suddenly when she was just 21 years old. While this event derailed her envisioned plans, she later explained she had no regrets, but there was ""no way she was going to move back home to Nowata."" Marilyn trailblazed to Denver, Colorado the summer of 1960 and got a clerical job at the Rocky Mountain News, working for the Editor. This is where she met her husband, Michael James Haley, who had returned from a voluntary tour of duty with the Navy and was working as Circulation Manager of the Rocky Mountain News while completing his education and bachelor's degree at Regis College. Marilyn retuned to Oklahoma State University that Fall, but she and Mike were in love and plans were made for her to return to Denver after graduating that next year. Marilyn returned to Denver as planned, and she and Mike dated and then became engaged to be married. They married in August of 1963 at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church. During their time of dating and engagement, Marilyn and Mike introduced their best friends, Dennis McDaniel and Mary Lou Whistler, who also became engaged and married. These two couples remained wonderful friends for the rest of Marilyn and Mike's lives. Michael Haley died very unexpectedly in November 1988. While the event rocked Marilyn and the family, she chose to continue to be a role model to her daughters and enrolled in the Daniels College of Business at University of Denver, where she received a Master's degree in Health Care Management. Marilyn was always moving and shaking, always working in some capacity or another even when being a ""full time"" mother. She was a master gardener, an artist, traveler and entertainer. But most importantly, Marilyn had a heart for people. She cared deeply for her family, grandchildren, friends and employees, and would go out of her way to love, help, support, mentor and elevate them. Marilyn began a very successful career with Colorado Allergy and Asthma Clinic, and during her 20 years there took that one small clinic with 3 physicians to a multimillion dollar organization with 10 locations on the front range with 12 physicians and 9 physician assistants that serve more than 40, 000 allergy and asthma patients. She adored working for her physicians and the organization. She ""retired"" as Chief Operating Officer of Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers to begin operating her successful health care consulting business, which she continued to operate despite the limitations of her disease up until one month before her death. She primarily worked on a no-charge basis during her last years to help struggling medical practices and physicians. Marilyn began having symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2011, and was finally diagnosed in 2012. With an undaunted spirit she fought this terrible, rotten disease. She made the most of life and became exceptionally close to her daughters, sons in law, and grandchildren, Ian Andrews and William and Tate Neville. Marilyn died too soon, but with dignity and grace. The Haley family will accept friends Friday beginning at 6:00 pm at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. A Vigil Service will follow beginning at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am at Christ the King, 830 Elm St. in Denver. Burial will take place Monday, 2/24, at 9:30 AM, Fort Logan National Cemetery, Shelter B. In lieu of family donations or flowers, please consider donating to Ace Scholarships (www.acescholarships.org), a Denver, Colorado based non-profit agency, providing low-income Colorado students with educational scholarships and school choice. Family is working with Ace to create a fund in Marilyn's name. Please click on ""Sign Guestbook"" to share memories of Marilyn and messages of condolence with her family.