Hanna Mary Warren

Hanna Mary (McDowell) Warren was born on December 28, 1931 in Concordia, Kansas to Heber and Crystle McDowell. Hanna was a “town girl” but considered herself a farmer and played an active role in managing the family farm her entire life. She attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in microbiology. Hanna met her husband Jack Warren at KU, and they were married on the morning of June 6th, 1955, immediately following Jack’s graduation from medical school. That very afternoon they drove to Chicago to start Jack’s internship at the Cook County Hospital. Hanna worked as a lab assistant and was held in great regard as one of the only technicians who could operate the newly available electron microscope. 

After a few twists and turns, Hanna and Jack decided to join the military. Their first two children were born in Mainz, Germany while Jack served as a Captain in the US ARMY. Upon discharge they returned to Kansas for Jack to complete his residency program at the Meininger School of Psychiatry in Topeka, Kansas. Hanna started law school as a part-time student at Washburn University in Topeka balancing tough classes, two young children, and a very tired husband. Hanna paused law school when Jack was invited to head up a psychiatric team at the newly formed Ft. Logan Mental Health Center in Colorado, but it meant saying goodbye to their beloved Kansas. 

Hanna did not start back to law school right away as they had two more children during their first few years in Colorado. In the early 1970’s, however, the whole family moved from Englewood to Boulder for Hanna to attend law school at the University of Colorado. After graduation she moved the family back to Englewood and started practicing law at the Hartman and Warren Law Offices in Denver. Eventually the offices moved south to Englewood where Hanna cherished serving her clients and her community. She practiced law for 44 years, retiring at the age of 92. 

While Hanna had an impressive professional career, her greatest joy was family. She was fiercely proud of her four children Laurel Warren (deceased, 2013), Sean Warren (Margot), Carrie Warren-Gully (Jim), and Rebecca W. Moraja (Bill), her eight grandchildren Shannon Warren (Ken), Ian Warren (Sara), Quinn Warren, Baxter Gully (Meagan), Colton Gully (Lyndsi), Harrison Gully (Jill), Henry Moraja, and Joseph Moraja, and her great grandchildren Charlotte Warren and Arlo Gully. Hanna’s husband and dear life-partner, Jack, died in 2006. 

Hanna was a no-nonsense, hard-working, intelligent woman who would not tolerate gossip or self-pity. She treasured her many friends and her church family. She had high expectations for herself and everyone she met, because she truly believed that ALL humans are capable and worthy. Hanna was not sentimental, but her kindness, laughter, and warmth was genuine, and she treated everyone with grace, compassion, and generosity.

She will be missed tremendously, but her loving memory will live long in our hearts.