Ethel Mae Maroney

Her love continues to shine in our hearts.

Obituary

Ethel Mae Maroney of Littleton, Colorado, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2026, at the age of 91. Born Ethel Mae Paxton on December 20, 1934, in Frame, West Virginia, she was the eldest of three daughters of Peter and Ruth Paxton. 
In 1951, she met the love of her life, James "Jim" Maroney; they were married on September 6, 1952 in Charleston, West Virginia. Ethel and Jim lived in various locations before settling in the Littleton area in 1957. She immediately fell in love with Colorado, fondly calling it home from the moment she arrived. Ethel and Jim were together for an amazing 75 years and raised five children in a household filled with laughter and love.

Ethel was a playful, fiercely loyal, and spirited woman who brought immense joy to her family and friends. She loved bowling in local leagues, gardening, solving tough puzzles, and cheering for the Denver Broncos. She was famous for playing video games alongside her grandchildren and brought a fun, competitive streak to family gatherings. Ethel had a quick wit, loved music, and enjoyed a glass of Merlot with her dark chocolate. A successful real estate agent during the 1970s, she later retired from a local insurance office in the 1990s. 

Ethel is survived by her loving husband Jim Sr.; five children – Alice (husband Tom), Patsi, Jim Jr. (partner Doug), Pamela (husband Patrick), and Theresa (husband Frank); six grandchildren – Victoria (husband Robert), Stephanie, Ryan, Kyle, Franklyn, and Michael; four great-grandchildren – Parker, Rowan, Chloe, and Evelynn; and her sister Cora (husband Jerry) plus numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Ruth Paxton, as well as her sister Mary.

All are invited to attend either or both of two events scheduled on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Morningside Clubhouse, 7100 E. Hamilton Place, Denver, Colorado 80224. The first event is a memorial service starting at 1:00 pm, followed immediately by an informal gathering from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm to honor Ethel’s well-lived life. Light refreshments will be served. 

Her ashes will be interred in a private ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Home Builders Foundation (https://hbfdenver.org), a nonprofit that generously modified Ethel’s home to increase her mobility. 

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