NOTE: Time has changed for memorial! It will be at 3:30pm!
Amy's memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 22nd and Dexter, on Tuesday March 25, at 3:30 PM. The family has requested donations to the following charitable organizations in lieu of flowers.
Wild Wings Environmental Education raptor rescue
wildwingseducation.org
Art from Ashes - empowering youth through creative expression, & personal transformation
artfromashes.org
Sungate Kids
www.thebutlerinstitute.org/pd/training-locations/sungate-kids/
Please add your own stories to this website of how Amy has given to you and enriched your life. Click on the Stories tab in the menu.
Tributes
Leave a tributeSure enjoyed getting to know you and to chase local live music.
See you,
Ree
You cross my mind often- you are an inspiration! You are lucky you went home - your not missing anything here these days! I thank you for being my friend- and touching my life when our paths crossed in earlier years!
Your forever friend, Ree
Ree and Mike
Your forever friend,
Ree
We still miss you so much. I often think of our loooong talks and the fun we had together. I wish for one more time to talk into the night. Remembering taking you to see the birds of prey and your childlike delight. I will never forget your delighted face that day. Love you and so glad you were part of our lives.
Your forever friends,
Ree and Mike
Ree
Love
Megan
You'd be proud I'm getting published....
I'll always remember you.
All the memories ....my Brooks Towers buddy.... I'll always remember when you flew to Minneapolis to visit me.......
In honor of Amy and her amazingness, here is a blessing
May you love your friends and also make them crazy.
May you learn to roll your eyes, I mean really roll them when someone is being an idiot, because, let’s be honest, they have it coming if they are being that stupid.
May you dance as though absolutely everyone is watching
May you write your soul in poems
May you believe in God at least as much as you argue with him
May you defy all odds
May you tell stories as big as your personality
May you never let your limits define you
And may you at least once in your life drive well over the speed limit in a red convertible
Now, go forth in peace knowing that our Amy is free and in the arms of God. That is, when she isn’t busy sassing the angels.
Amen.
I will miss your "hatchet face" and your wit, your amazing stories and your laughter. I will miss riding in the red convertible, going out for drinks, for lunch, shopping, whatever. I miss you very much already. I'll see you in heaven someday soon Amy. Till I get there you have a good time dancing with the Lord, and singing his praises! I love you very much my friend.
Amy first met Jack in August 2001 and they became immediate "partners in crime." One funny moment was when Jack and I got home after partying at Gay Pride. Amy and Regan were out on Amy's patio, having a "glass or two" of wine. Amy needed to have her patio table moved, and Jack, wearing his "Rainbow Colored Vest" with nothing under, picked up the table by himself and moved it! Amy's mouth was wide open but she didn't say one word as it was our first time meeting Regan! Amy got tired of always calling us, Jack and Anthony, so one day she decided to start calling us "Jackany".
Jack and I moved a few blocks west on 48th in Sept 2002. We continued our contact with Amy and had so many good memories. Amy's wheelchair would "get away" from her sometimes as she was getting out of car, after a night of partying. :-) She would call us no matter the day or the time. We always took care of each other. We've been through a lot together in the 14 years of knowing each other. She is/was one friend you can always count on to listen to you and give you wonderful advice. I am a better person in life because of my "Amylicious." I love you Amy and will always think of you everyday.
I'll remember her with a big smile, despite her handicap.
She'll be sadly missed by many, including my humble self.
Leave a Tribute
Sure enjoyed getting to know you and to chase local live music.
See you,
Amy's Story
Some people MAKE life happen! Some people LET life happen!
Amy MADE life happen!!!!!!
She was born on April 20, 1960, here in Denver. She was injured at the age of five.
She displayed great endurance and obedience, even then.
Through her pioneering public education for “handicap-ables”, demanding ramps and facilities at certain federal buildings, individual and normal struggles of grade, school, middle school, and Thornton High School, she graduated in 1979.
Amy worked as a secretary a few months after graduating – subsequently moving to Mobile Oil in downtown Denver, establishing her own apartment and starting her adult life.
When Mobile Oil left Denver, Amy was asked to transfer to either New York or Corpus Christi with them. Neither location was very conducive to her condition or quality of life. She chose to remain in Denver.
After once again working as a secretary at Pinnacol Assurance (formerly CCIA), she found her way to TW Telecom where she was employed at the time of her death, and had received her 15 year award.
The past few years were starting to wear on her health. This last December, she contracted a virus which transitioned into pneumonia, both of which she overcame but remained weakened.
She was granted a week at her home before she went to “dance with Jesus” on March 8, 2014.
Amy leaves her mom, dad, brother, nephew, niece and great nephew, as well as extended family, many good friends, co-workers, and acquaintances she fondly cared for.
Her passions: reading, knitting, writing poetry and trips to “her” mountains sustained her.
Amy enjoyed her people and pursued her spirit life faithfully and soundly.
AMY IS DANCING EVEN AS WE SPEAK!
How I Remember My Friend
Amy looked forward to Heaven because she knew God would restore to her all that had been taken and more. She struggled valiantly in her life with her plight. Amy was given more to bear in her life than most people could or would ever would face. She always amazed me.
My husband, Mike, met Amy back in the 1990 when she worked at an oil company during the Gulf War and he was a cop on duty there, where they became friends. Some time passed, and it was probably late 1991, when we walked into a church one Sunday morning and I finally met her. It seemed it was just meant to be.
As I spent time these past days contemplating what memories of Amy I wanted to share, I realized how many times she made me laugh when she was so delighted with things that happened or what she saw. Amy challenged me. She made me a better person. I want to share with you some of the times we had.
Amy and I (and several other friends) loved the Celtic. We loved bagpipes, kilts, the history, the music and longed to go to Scotland and Ireland one day. So....we often went to the Scottish Festival in Estes Park and Highlands Ranch or the Irish festivals and soaked up as much of it as we could. One of the best memories I have of Estes Park is when we would go to an event called a Tattoo. Amy would be so excited. Because of her ability to capture people into her life, she had met a man there who always saw her coming. He was a drum major in full Scottish regalia, kilt, hose, shoes, buckles, tartan, sporran, the works. Her face would light up when she saw him and he knew what was coming. She would roll right up to him and lift his kilt. Then she would yell “Commando.” He always laughed at her and looked forward to the next year. One time we were trying to get seated for the show and we couldn't get Amy's chair into the area. This same man walked up behind us, scooped Amy up, lifted her over and sat her down in a chair with the rest of us.
Amy hated that wheelchair and did everything in her life to not let it own her. My husband always said that Amy was the “strongest” person he had ever known. She had so little to work with and accomplished so much. She longed to be free of the chair and when she could, she would sit on the ground or the couch or a “real” chair because she loved to feel normal. She loved her convertible because she said it was the only place she could feel free.
We would often plan a day to just talk. We could always pick up right where we had left off the last time. She would come over or we would go out to eat and then just talk. She was one of the most verbally gifted people I have ever known. Our talks would never be surface. We would dig down and really work things over until we would both be mentally exhausted. When faced with tough questions, she could clearly verbalize her thoughts with such precision that I would be in awe. If I had been faced with the same question, I would have said, “Hell, I don't know.”
Amy lived her life to the fullest. She wanted to have it all. I admired her more than anyone I have known. I am so sorry that she is no longer here and though I cry for myself, I know that she has new legs and is dancing in Heaven with Jesus. She often spoke of her excitement to leave this body behind. My husband is firmly convinced that she is keeping God busy.
Psalm 46:1 says the “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Happiness does not depend on success in business or being applauded by others. It is not essential to be in good health or even naturally cheerful. God gives the truest health in sickness or infirmity and the most tender joy in depression. The ONLY thing necessary for happiness is for the Lord to smile on you. To know Him is life eternal. To know Him is solid peace. Amy knew the Lord, loved Him and trusted Him.
Amy struggled and feared what life would bring in later years, but it never took the smile from her face or the love from her heart. One of her friends told me this past week that Amy left something special with every person she met. That is true! She was so unaware of that fact. When I spent an afternoon with her the weekend before her death, it was pleasant to find out that during her illness and after, she had began to realize how many people cared for her. She expressed how much all the visits, cards, gifts, texts and phone calls had meant to her. She felt very loved and cared for. The desires of her heart had been met in so many ways and she expressed gratefulness.
Paul wrote to in 2 Timothy the 4th Chapter: “Now the time has come for me to die. My life is like a drink offering being poured out on the altar. I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful. So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord.”
Amy, you finished the race! You fought well and were faithful. Jesus has called you home to receive your crown. You finally have the peace you so longed for. You have legs to dance, walk, climb and sit anywhere you want to (or not at all). This world is NOT a better place without you. We will miss you more than you could ever know. But knowing what you have now makes my heart dance......and I sure hope there are raptors in Heaven.
I love you, Amy. Dance, Dance Dance!