Mary Barbara Troxel

December 6, 1934 ~ January 8, 2013
Mary Barbara Troxel was born in the small town of Sedalia in the winter of 1934. She was the 7th child born to Benito and Tibursia Fernandez. Barbara had 3 sisters, 7 brothers and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In kindergarten there were 3 girls named "Maria" so her middle name "Barbara" was used throughout her lifetime by family and friends. Barbara attended Littleton High School, where she was a cheerleader and active in sports like softball - she even played competitive softball until she was 50!
Barbara met Gene Troxel and together they had 4 children: Laura, Charley, Marvin and Lenny Troxel. They frequently traveled the state of Colorado because Gene's work was highway construction. They settled in Minturn, CO in the 1960's and that was home for many years. Barbara worked as a professional cook, in places like The Lodge at Vail, school cafeterias, etc., but she always made time to bring treats to her children's classroom and be a parent chaperone on fieldtrips and sports trips. She had a great sense of humor and love of life!
Barbara loved the outdoors! She loved camping, fishing (she went fishing weekly in 2012), gardening, growing flowers and riding her motorcycle - she continued to ride her 250 Honda during summer 2012! Barbara loved to play and watch sports, especially the Denver Broncos and Toronto Blue Jays. But even more than her love of the outdoors, she loved God, had a personal relationship with Jesus, and treasured and blessed family and friends who became like family. You could not out give Barbara! She was always cooking, baking, painting, visiting those in need of a friend.
Barbara lived in Canada near her daughter during the last 2 decades, painting beautiful pictures, growing a huge garden, writing poetry, and blessing all who knew her. She was predeceased by her father, Trinidad Benito Fernandez, her Mother Tibursia (nee Trujillo), her sisters Mikki (Dom) Contreras, and Rosemary (Nick) Chavez, her brothers Ray (Vivien), Richard, Trinidad (Edwina), and her husband Marvin Gene Troxel. She is survived by her sister Delia (John) DeSantos, Manual, Leo (Dee), Jose (Mary) and Pat (Theta) Fernandez, as well as her 4 children: Laura, Charley (Brenda), Marvin and Lenny (Trish) Troxel. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of lifelong friends who were as dear as family. Barbara was a source of inspiration, thoughtfulness, and love to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
Memorial service will be held at the Englewood United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Contributions may be made in Barbara's name to: The Scholarship Fund of the Chirdren's Learning Center, 3885 S. Broadway, Englewood, Colorado 80113.
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