September 9, 1937 - May 12, 2024
Barbara Monroe, 86, of Loveland CO, passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2024, surrounded by her family. Barbara Jean McKay was born on September 9, 1937 in Auburn, New York, the middle of Donald and Ruth (Day) McKay’s three children. Barbara graduated from Plattsburgh State Teachers’ College in Plattsburgh, New York (now State University of New York Plattsburgh) in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in home economics education. She worked as an extension agent and social worker before getting a job teaching high school home economics in Belmont, New York, the hometown of her future husband Terrance Monroe. They married on October 14, 1961 in Auburn and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before Terry’s death in December 2021.
After the birth of her twins, Barbara became a full-time wife and mother, and when the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1966, she became a hockey mom, sports chauffeur, and superb tutor who passed her love of reading on to her daughter and her love of cooking on to her two sons. The family moved from Anchorage to Ohio in 1977, then to Loveland in 1996, where Barbara was active in the quilting community. She was a founding member of Chapter IM of P.E.O. International, a membership organization dedicated to helping women advance through education, and of the League of Northern Colorado Quilters (LNCQ). She won numerous awards for her beautiful quilts at the Larimer County Fair over the years and taught countless quilting classes at shops around Loveland. The family traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, and after becoming empty nesters Barbara and Terry enjoyed an extended trip to Scotland and Ireland. For their 50th wedding anniversary they took a river cruise in Europe. Barbara also traveled to London several times with her daughter.
Barbara is survived by her brother Donald McKay of Houston, Texas; children Tamara Monroe of Loveland, Thomas (Barb) Monroe of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and Gary Monroe of Fort Collins; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to Terry, she was predeceased by her parents and sister Patricia.
In accordance with Barbara’s wishes, no memorial service is planned. Memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice either online at www.pathways-care.org or by mail to Pathways, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.
