Moyne Nelle Esbenson

Moyne Nelle Esbenson (Woodcock) Moyne Woodcock Esbenson was born in Greeley, Colorado to Gertrude and Benjamin Woodcock on March 3, 1933. Moyne always remarked that she would never forget her unique birth date. Moyne was the oldest of four children. Her brothers, Burgett and John, and sister, Sara, survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Bob. Moyne is survived by her son Eric, his wife Connie Jo, her son Kurt and her daughter Andrea and husband Todd. Moyne cherished her granddaughters, Jessica, Laura, Abbey, and Breanna, and her only grandson, Luke. Her grandchildren say that their grandma will always inspire them with her positive attitude, sense of humor and big heart. She is also survived by many other family members and friends. Moyne went to school in Fort Lupton, Colorado, graduating from Fort Lupton High School in 1951. She then attended nursing school at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1954. Moyne started her nursing career in psychiatric nursing. It was in the Colorado General Psychiatric Unit that she met her husband, Bob, who was an orderly at the time. In 1981, Moyne furthered her higher education and attended Metropolitan State College where she majored in nursing and minored in sociology. Moyne and Bob were married August 25, 1956 in Denver, Colorado. They had three children, Eric, Andrea, and Kurt, all of whom still live in Colorado. Moyne spent the next several years raising her family in Arvada, Colorado. During this time she also worked for American Medical Center investigating drug records and working on the cancer registry. In this job she developed an extensive knowledge about the treatment of cancer. Moyne was a blessed pioneer in a program that has helped thousands of people in their greatest times of need '"" she was one of the original volunteer registered nurses with Hospice of Metro Denver, which began in 1978 and was the first program of its kind in the state. Working with terminally ill patients and their families, Moyne was concerned with quality of life for as long as it lasts, the dignity of life and the ability to let people die with control over their own lives. Respected by her colleagues, Moyne was dedicated and one of the best, most caring nurses working in this challenging program. After the death of her husband in 1987, Moyne went back to her roots and began working in the geriatric unit at Colorado Mental Health Institute-Fort Logan. She officially retired from Fort Logan in 1998, but continued to volunteer until recently. Her co-workers at Fort Logan said Moyne was very gifted in working with the mentally ill. Moyne passed away peacefully on March 19, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. In the end Moyne was lucky enough to receive the hospice care that she extended to so many in her career. Her family believes all of those people that she helped die with dignity are the Angels waiting for her in Heaven. Moyne will be missed by so many people as she touched many lives in her short 77 years. Memorial donations may be made in Moyne's name to The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan or The Collier Hospice at Lutheran Medical Center.