Miriam Coburger

Miriam Dora Coburger passed away peacefully on July 9th 2017. There will be a Memorial Christian Service for Dora at her church: Life Christian Fellowship, at 10235 Parkglenn Way, Parker, Colorado 80138, Lower level of CEC (Colorado Early College) High School on July 22nd at 11:00 a.m. Dora is survived by her son, Juan; her daughter-in-law Mary Ann; her granddaughter, Kimberly; her sisters Erna and Elizabeth; her brother Raymundo and much extended family. A second brother, Otto, has passed away recently. Dora was an energetic, fun-loving, happy person. When I first met her, she was already 55 years old, but was always working in her garden, very active running around, and cleaning her home. Sometimes I would joke and call her the ‘Eveready Bunny.’ I thought she would never slow down. She was always enjoying eating good food and ready with a glass of wine to cheer ‘salut’ with us. She enjoyed going to church and meeting her lady friends for an early breakfast. After she moved out into her condo, she would often drive over to our house maybe after work or church just to stop by to check on ‘her garden’, then she would often go to see a friend or two nearby, Luz, Glenda, Shirley, June, Judy, Janet, etc. She decorated her place very beautifully, since she had the gift of taking something simple and making it look very pretty, special, and elegant. On most holidays and special occasions, you could always depend on her to bring a bunch of flowers and maybe some wine. When I first met Dora, I was often pleasantly surprised to arrive at her home to see one red rose in a vase prominently displayed in the living room. She also loved to decorate with fresh flowers from her garden. She was always a snappy dresser. Often with her ‘fur’ coat, dangly earrings, pretty scarves, sophisticated dress or colorful blouse and skirt. She always had dressy shoes, even when she went hiking with us (she wore flats then). Dora was even hiking with us at Devils Head Trail in Colorado, when she was 80 years old, just four years ago. For Dora, family and friends were very important to her. She visited us often, helping with Kimberly. She talked often to her extended family, her two sisters, her two brothers, her many cousins, nieces and nephews. When I looked at her photos, I saw many happy times at the beach, and many holidays shared with her large, happy family. Dora and Juan’s family were always warm-hearted and welcoming to us in their home. She spoke often of her friends and would try to visit them for lunch or birthdays. Dora even kept in touch with friends as far as Los Angeles, Guatemala, Germany, and Mexico. Dora loved to travel. Over the years, she would go on trips to visit family in Guatemala, Florida, the Carolinas, as well as go on group trips all over the world to places like Italy and Russia. She went with Juan and me to Europe; on car trips across America and to places like New York, Utah, California, Las Vegas. I know from family stories Dora was one of the first of the family to visit the US several times from Guatemala, eventually becoming a US citizen. She had grown up in Guatemala, but through complicated circumstances, lived in Germany for a few years during WW II during her early teenage years. Immediately after the war, Dora traveled with her family as refugees trying to get back to Guatemala. She stayed in various refugee camps in 1945-46 such as Munich and Paris for months at a time. Eventually her family was able to get passage to Guatemala on a ship via Columbia S.A. Dora had won a type of Lottery in Guatemala years ago. She bought two houses: one for her parents and one for herself. Such a lucky, generous gal. Dora had been slowing down the last few years and she had not been her usual active, happy self. We had hoped she would perk up and recuperate, but sometimes life has its own plan. I miss that active, engaged Dora and hope and pray God has a special place in heaven for such a lovely lady and such a dear person and Mom-in-law. We love you! Mary Ann and Juan