Martha Dell

Martha Elaine Dell died peacefully on May 12, 2022. Martha was born in Denver, CO on January 1, 1936 and adopted as an infant by Dr. Samuel Golden and Viola E. Golden. She spent her childhood and adolescence in North Denver, eventually settling with her husband and family in Wheat Ridge where she lived for almost 60 years. Martha was generous, happy, curious about the world and never met a stranger.

Martha graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1953 and attended the College of St. Mary in Omaha, NE. She graduated from Loretto Heights College in 1960 with a degree in education. She started her career as a 7th grade English teacher and taught until she had children and stayed home to raise and nurture them. Martha used love and encouragement to keep her children and their friends in line; however, she was equally adept at using her “teacher finger” and “teacher stare.”

Martha met a dentist, Colman Dell, who became the love of her life. They met in 1960 and were married in 1961. They were married over 55 years, until Colman’s death in 2017, and together they had four children. Martha and Colman truly modeled care and devotion to each other.  They were the life of the party – being the first and usually the last ones on the dance floor. Martha worked with Colman full time in his dental practice for nearly 20 years. They had, and still have, an amazing circle of friends, many of whom they have known for over 60 years. Martha participated with the Spirit of Loretto committee for many years and was part of a potluck group that (at least until COVID) met regularly for dinners since their college days.

Martha had a gift of kindness and empathy. She never met a stranger and did not know how to "unfriend" anyone. She had a knack for remembering birthdays and always acknowledged them. She sent a note or called her friends on the anniversary of their spouse’s passing to let them know she was thinking of them. Martha had a warm smile and asked about and was truly interested in the lives of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, their extended families, friends, and of course, their pets. She was an inquisitive seeker of knowledge and inspired her family to learn about the world and its people, to try new foods and to be open to any learning experience. Martha loved to travel, and she and Colman visited many wonderful places in their 55 years together.

Martha is survived by her children, Lawrence Dell and wife Debbie of Severn, MD; Lisa Dell Martin and husband Bill, of Raleigh, NC; David Dell and wife Mary Schurwonn-Dell of Arvada; and Michael Dell and wife Laura Egan of Denver; and her grandchildren: Matthew, Megan and Jeffrey Dell; Cameron and Alexa Martin; Dominick, Joseph, and Michael Dell; and Avery and Mason Dell as well as step-grandchildren Elizabeth Martin and Jack and Will Robson.   Martha is also survived by her beloved sister and very best friend Dorothy (Golden) Archer and brother-in-law Vince Archer. She leaves behind brother-in-law Eugene Dell and sister-in-law Jacqueline (Dell) Lang, as well as caring and wonderful nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many loving and dear friends.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Colman, and her parents.

A memorial mass and rosary will be held on Tuesday, May 31, with the rosary starting at 10 am and the Mass at 10:30 at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church located at 3900 Pierce St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Private burial will be held at Ft. Logan cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Regis University General Scholarship Fund (regis.edu/give), Jeffco Action Center(http://www.theactioncenter.org.) or the Foothills Animal Shelter (https://foothillsanimalshelter.org/) in memory of Martha E. Dell.