Martha McGavin

Obituary Martha Jane Moroney McGavin

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Martha always said that each day is a gift. She probably never stopped to think what a gift she was to all who knew her. During her long, productive life she touched many people with her generous, kind and grateful spirit and her willingness to learn and adapt to new circumstances. 

      She was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 3, 1929, to James Patrick Moroney and  Beatrice Evelyn Heibel. When she was a child and a young woman her father's work in the oil business led  the family to Casper, Wyoming and finally to Denver, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Colorado in 1950 with a degree in engineering physics. Martha was one of the first women in the engineering school and the only female in the CU Physics Club at that time.

      She met her husband, Raymond Edward McGavin, a World War II veteran on the GI Bill, when he was her classmate in a Physics course. Together they attended the Newman Club, the Catholic student organization on campus and became good friends. After graduation they married and decided to stay in Colorado. They eventually made Boulder their permanent home.

      Martha and Raymond had six children (Margaret, Elizabeth, Richard, Catherine, Edward and Andrew). The McGavins were actively involved in Sacred Heart of Jesus parish, where the kids went to Catholic school. Martha was a leader in the Junior Great Books program there. She also served on the Parish Council for many years.

      After her oldest children were grown, Martha went back to the University of Colorado and completed a Masters degree in Engineering Design and Economic Development. As one of her projects, she saved on heating costs by designing a greenhouse for the family home in Sunshine Canyon. Martha worked for some time in the solar energy industry. She was instrumental in creating prize-winning user manuals for a software company.  

      Martha was active in several Boulder organizations, including the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, where she was a volunteer for twenty years and Treasurer on the Board of Directors. She participated in the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, the Flatirons Ski Club, the CU Society of Women Engineers and the I Have a Dream Foundation. 

      In her spare time she enjoyed cross country skiing with her children and grandchildren. She especially loved hosting dinners for family and friends who were always welcome at her table. Martha was a very good cook who baked ten loaves of bread every Saturday.

      Martha traveled extensively with her many friends, frequently visiting her daughter and family in Mexico. She enjoyed Alaska, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Australia and New Zealand as well as Peru, where her favorite experience was staying with a family on Lake Titicaca. She also visited Buenos Aires with her son and Argentinian daughter-in-law.

      Martha mentored three of her grandchildren who lived with her while studying at the University of Colorado. They all agree she was the best roommate, always ready to support them with good food and a safe environment while expecting them to figure out and commit to their own goals. 

      All her life Martha championed the value of learning. She was a staunch supporter of women in science. Nothing made her more excited than to hear young girls and women talk about their struggles and commitment to continue their education. She would raise her fist and say Yes! when she heard of their achievements.

      In her later years at Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Martha enjoyed music, bingo and the company of staff and other residents as well as frequent visits from her family. No matter what her health challenges could be, she was always gracious and relied strongly on her faith to help her get through each day. The words which passed her lips most frequently were “Thank you for taking care of me". 

       Thank you for taking care of us, dear Martha. We love you and miss you!