Mary Bates Samford

Mary Bates Samford, 80, died on February 8, 2014 of complications from Multiple Sclerosis, after a 30 year battle with the disease. Funeral services will be held at St Mary Catholic Church of Littleton, Colorado on February 14, 2014 at 1pm. She was born to Dr. Maurice T. and Margaret M. Bates on September 2, 1933, in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1937, Dr. Bates moved his family to Des Moines, Iowa, where he joined Dr. Frank W. Fordyce in the practice of surgery. The young Bates family grew up in Des Moines. It was there that she met and married Norbert J. Samford on September 18, 1954. After a honeymoon at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO, the couple left for Kansas City, MO, where Mr. Samford was employed. In January 1955, the Samfords moved again when Mr. Samford was transferred by his company to Denver. Mrs. Samford graduated from the former Loretto Heights College with a BA degree and received her Master's degree from the University of Denver. While working on her PhD, she was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. From 1986 to 1991, she was a part-time professor of History at Loretto Heights College, the University of Denver and Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is survived by Norbert, her husband of 60 years, two daughters, Margaret Sorenson (Robert) of Elizabeth, and Mary Samford Hogue of Lone Tree, one living son, Mark B. Samford (Rebecca) of Gilbert, AZ, a brother, Maurice Joseph Bates of Dallas, TX. Mrs. Samford had five grandchildren: Diedre Ann Wagers, MD (Drew) of Monument, Erik Sorenson (Lindsey) of Littleton, Peter Sorenson (Cristiana) of Morrison, Kendall and Landon Hogue of Lone Tree, and six great-grandchildren: Reece and Ashley Wagers, Kade, Brock and Brynn Sorenson, and Nikolas Sorenson. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Michael Joseph, the twin of Margaret Sorenson and her parents, Dr. Maurice and Margaret Bates. A viewing will be held at Horan & McConaty on February 13, 2014 starting at 6:00PM until 7:00 PM with recitation of the Rosary at 7pm. The Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince Street, Littleton, CO. 80120, on February 14, 2014 at 1pm. Interment will follow in Littleton Cemetery, 6155 S. Prince St., Littleton. Mrs. Samford was an active member of the following charities: Legacy Partner of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Congregation, 1100 Mount Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003, the Heritage Society of America's VetDogs, 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787 the Lowry Circle of the National MS Society, Colorado Chapter, 900 South Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, Colorado 80209, the Founder's Society of the Denver Dumb Friends League, 2080 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80231, Pathways Partner of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, and she was a member of Face the Challenge, 16748 East Smoky Hill Road, Box 300, Centennial, CO 80015. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Mary's name to any of the above charities. Please share your memories of Mary and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.