Mary Susan Matamoros

Mary Susan Matatmoros, age 70 passed away in Aurora Colorado on December 15, 2024. She was born January 31, 1954. She was a graduate of Bishop Machebeuf High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts-teaching certificate from the University of Phoenix. Mary worked for many years for Mountain Bell, ending her career as a Human Resource Administrator of 25 years with US West. Mary's second career was teaching; she worked at Mrachek Middle School and Hinkley High School as a math teacher. Mary also worked as a substitute teacher at other schools including Regis Jesuit High School.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents William M. Dea and Kathleen (Donlon) Dea, and her husband Gilbert Matatmoros Jr. Mary and Gil were married on March 17, 1995 and were happily married until Gil's death on August 15, 2013.

Mary is survived by Stepmother; Kathleen Quinn Dea, siblings Michael Dea (Diane), Timothy Dea (Christine), Daniel Dea (Rebecca), Stephen Dea (Leah), Ronald Dea (Holly), Ann Dawkins (William), Thomas Dea (Anne), Patrick Quinn (Beatrice), Phillip Quinn, Michael Quinn (Beth), five stepchildren, a multitude of nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Both Mary and Gil loved to travel. They honeymooned in Ireland and they took yearly summer trips in their RV to destinations all over the country. After Gil passed, Mary continued traveling extensively with her other family and friends.

Mary was an artist. She painted original landscapes, and she loved sharing her passion for all things art and crafts with her nieces and nephews and her grandson Joshua. Mary made beautiful wedding cakes for many of her family and friends. She was the go to person for cakes for any event in the family. Like everything Mary did for people, her cakes always had a personal and original touch that made them unique.

The holidays were always a chance for Mary to host parties or bring her supplies over for holiday crafting. From pumpkin carving at Halloween to gingerbread houses during Christmas, Mary never missed the chance to make the holidays a little more special.

Mary’s most cherished holiday tradition was “Aunt Mary’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Sleepover” beginning in 1989 with her oldest nieces and nephews. Mary started the tradition as a way to gift her siblings a yearly child-free weekend. Gil joined in hosting the sleepover when he married Mary in 1995. The sleepover continued annually for 34 years and included all of her nieces, nephews and eventually their spouses and children. 

Mary had many dear friends. They had a crafting group once a month and made beautiful treasures and learned many different types of crafting. She also was part of a dinner and card game playing group.

Mary’s love and care for children of all ages extended to her second career as a teacher and tutor. She had a brilliant math mind, and she was so good at helping others understand complex subjects and helping them with the confidence they needed to know they could do anything.

Mary loved her weekend outings with her stepdaughter Sheila, son-in-law Tom and grandson Joshua. She cherished spending time with her family whenever she could, and was blessed to see them all often.

Funeral services will take place on January 31st, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO 80014. Please consider sharing your memories and condolences with Mary's family on her guestbook below.