Ann B. Alfaro

Ann Alfaro, age 86, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025 at The Manor on Marston Lake in Littleton, Colorado. Ann was born on June 8, 1939 in Wichita, Kansas to Franz and Katherine Barrell Prier Barrell, and was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Karl Barrell and Gene Barrell. Ann was married to the late Daniel Alfaro from 1958 to 1990. Ann is survived by her three children, David Alfaro, Helen Alfaro, and Susan Alfaro Twining; five grandchildren, Kara Birnbaum, Sidelle Birnbaum, Michael Birnbaum, Dalton Twining, and Devin Twining; and 3 great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Twining, Michael Birnbaum, and Zander Birnbaum.

Ann was a graduate of Derby High School and Wichita State University. She held a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Library Science. Ann had a beautiful singing voice and also played the violin in the Wichita State University symphony. From 1967 to 1979, Ann worked as a Library Assistant at Norlin Library at the University of Colorado in Boulder. In 1979, she became a faculty member as a Professional Research Assistant at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado. Even after her retirement in 2001, Ann continued working at LASP on a part-time contract basis until 2019.

In keeping with her personal hobbies and interests, Ann sang soprano in the Arvada United Methodist Church choir and with the Arvada Chorale. She was a member of ABC Quilts of Colorado, sewing dozens of handmade comfort quilts for children in crisis. She also participated in making a memorial panel for the National Memorial AIDS Quilt. Ann traveled extensively to many locations inside and outside the US, oftentimes accompanied by her companion James Hunter of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Ann will be remembered for her beauty, intelligence, dependability, resourcefulness, and compassion for helping others. Her family extends its most sincere gratitude to the entire staff at The Manor on Marston Lake who took such loving care of Ann during her final years.

A celebration of life will be held on October 3, 2026 at 11:00 at Horan & McConaty located at 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80227. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .