Maryann Stack

MaryAnn (Magnie) Stack was born on November 23, 1953 in Denver, Colorado. MaryAnn grew up in Denver, Colorado, the fourth of eight children.



MaryAnn grew up in Congress Park neighborhood, and attended St. Philomena's Elementary School, then went on to Cathedral High School. MaryAnn excelled in swimming, cheerleading and mathematics. She was a fun, dynamic force with friends and family. One day as a teenager, after she observed a purse snatching, she ran down 12th Avenue in her high heels and recovered the woman's purse.



In 1971, MaryAnn began college at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas where she met her future husband, Dennis Stack. In 1976, MaryAnn and Dennis were married in Denver.



MaryAnn graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1982. She later earned her Professional Engineer accreditation.



Just out of college, MaryAnn worked for Shell Chemical. Following in her dad's footsteps, MaryAnn then spent over 15 years in the petroleum industry, managing software development for Softsearch, Dwights and IHS Energy. She was known as an innovative and caring manager. More than once, MaryAnn went out of her way to talk with employees who seemed unhappy and worked with them to find them jobs they loved.



MaryAnn worked as Technology Development Director at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. She encouraged her staff to get out of their office and spend time in the museum to really understand the value of their work. She loved walking through the museum, seeing the school groups and families enjoying science and nature together.



In 2014, MaryAnn returned to school and earned her Master's of Science in Data Analytics with Villanova.



MaryAnn and Dennis mentored and helped raise several boys in Denver. What started out as tutoring one boy, turned into Rockies games, camping trips and fishing adventures for several boys each outing. Together they frequented Glenwood Springs, Redstone and Sylvan Lake, and traveled to Florida, St. Louis and beyond. Paul Montreal, Kenneth Chambers, Zachary Barr, Joshua Pacheco, Jeremiah Pacheco and Zachary Pacheco became part of the family.



MaryAnn and Dennis had a special fondness for the Navajo culture. They visited many Navajo reservations and cultural sites, studied the history and began learning the Navajo language together.



MaryAnn and Dennis spent years volunteering. They were regulars for years in the "Sunday Lunch Bunch", delivering bologna sandwiches by the dozens to the homeless in all kinds of weather. MaryAnn also volunteered at the Vickers Boys and Girls Club as a reading and science mentor. She also enjoyed preparing gifts and visiting the veterans at the VA Hospital on holidays.



In 2013, MaryAnn's best friend and husband died. Following in Dennis' shoes, MaryAnn became a volunteer with the Denver Zoo in 2014. In her four years as a volunteer, she contributed over 600 hours of service. She completed her training to work with differently-abled volunteers. Together, she and her partner worked the Main Gate, offering maps and greeting visitors, telling them about the new zoo babies and sharing tips for enjoying the day.



The big joy of MaryAnn's life came in the summer of 2017 when she was reunited with her and Dennis' daughter Jennifer, whom they had given up for adoption in 1973. And to make it even more special, in the last week of MaryAnn's life, she was overjoyed to meet Jennifer's husband Erik and their daughter, MaryAnn's granddaughter, Stella.



On March 4, 2018, MaryAnn passed from this earthly plane into the loving embrace of her husband, her parents and friends who have gone before her. MaryAnn's caring and fun-loving nature made an impression on everyone she met. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and coworkers, what she referred to as her "circle of love".



A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Denver Zoo. Gather at 5:30 for dinner at 6:00 pm, with remembrances to follow. Please RSVP at https://kaymnewman.wixsite.com/maryann



For more information or to post photos and wishes, please join our caring site at https://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/maryann-stack