Shirley Keifer-Conroy

July 17, 1929 - November 12, 2014

Shirley Kiefer Conroy died peacefully on November 12, 2014 at the age of 85 at her home in Santa Fe, NM with family members at her bedside. She was born in Rocky Ford, CO on July 17, 1929 and graduated from Rocky Ford High School at the age of 16, earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of Denver at the age of 20, and a Master's Degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. She pursued a career in elementary education teaching in Manzanola, Rocky Ford, and Denver, Colorado, as well as Los Alamos, New Mexico. Most of her teaching career was spent in the Cherry Creek School District in Denver where she made her home for 45 years. Shirley was married in 1950 to Fritz Leas and from this union was born Susan Gayle. Fritz passed away in 1961. After raising Susan as a single mother and pursuing her teaching career, Shirley was re-introduced to a college friend at the University of Denver, Win Conroy, and they were married in 1978. Shirley and Win enjoyed an active life of travel, fishing, and golf during their years together. They traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Austrailia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific Islands. Shirley and Win were avid Broncos fans who supported their team during good and bad years! Shirley was a longstanding member of Grace United Methodist Church in Denver, and was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Denver at the Golden Pioneers Reunion in 2000. Shirley moved to Santa Fe, NM in 2005 to be closer to her daughter, Susan. She was an active member of the Ponce De Leon Retirement Community in Santa Fe and served as a member of the Resident Executive Council, as Chair of the Library Committee, and as Chair of the Book Club. She was an avid bridge player, and was a familiar face around many bridge tables! She loved her many friends and her family, and spent many years researching her family geneology. Her dedicated interest and research earned her a membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, having traced her family tree to back to Jamestown in 1607. Shirley was preceeded in death by her parents Leslie and Grace Kiefer, husband Winslow Conroy, sister Charlotte Fowles, brother-in-law David E. Smith, brother-in-law Arthur Conroy, niece Sheila Smith, and two nephews, Rod Fowles and Kevin Smith. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Steven Rae of Santa Fe, NM and was especially proud of her grandsons and granddaughter-in-law Christopher Rae and wife Chris Maxwell of Oakland, CA, Andrew Rae of San Diego, CA and Michael Rae of Austin, TX. She is also survived by her sister Lois Smith of Rocky Ford, CO, sister and brother-in-law Sharon and Ray Crist of Pleasant Hill, CA, brother-in-law Howard Fowles of Albuquerque, NM, sister-in-law Jo Conroy of Sun City West, AZ, stepchildren Kelly Conroy Alway and husband David of Sheridan, CA, Kathleen Conroy Coggin-Keeler and husband Kent of Golden, CO, Todd Conroy and wife Mary of Antelope, CA , many nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. A Celebration of Life is planned on the evening of Thanksgiving Day, November 27, in the living room at Ponce De Leon from 5:00 – 7:00. Graveside services will be held in Rocky Ford, CO at the Valley View Cemetery December 29, at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to: St Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148, stjude.org Local arrangements are being handled by Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.