Lois Mahoney

Lois Alberta Mahoney, age 91 of Ft Collins, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2023. Lois was born in Peabody, KS to Louis and Laura Highfill. She grew up in Russell, KS with siblings, Colleen, Butch and Joan. Lois met Bill Mahoney while working as a carhop in Russell, KS. They two immediately fell in love and were married in Russell, KS on August. 2, 1950. The couple celebrated 73 years in August of 2023. Lois and Bill spent the first years of their marriage in Kansas but fell in love with Colorado when visiting the state for their honeymoon. Lois and Bill moved to Ft. Collins in 1962. Ft. Collins is where they planted their roots. Lois was an accomplished Youth Bowling Instructor for several years. She later worked as a paraprofessional in the Poudre R1 School District which led to her love of teaching. Lois graduated, with honors, from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with a Bachelor of Education degree at the age of 40. Lois taught in several Ft. Collins Elementary schools and helped open both Shepherdson and Werner. She enjoyed teaching 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes. It was not uncommon for past students to visit her at school or even stop by her home to say hello. During retirement, Lois and Bill traveled extensively to Europe, Iceland, Ireland, Hawaii and Alaska, to name a few highlights. The couple enjoyed the snowbird life by spending several winter months a year in Green Valley, AZ. Lois and Bill loved spending time at their mountain cabin watching wildlife, hiking or sitting on the cabin deck enjoying the beauty. She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Mahoney, Ft. Collins; children, Theresa (Teri) Walker, husband Rex, Ault, CO, Patrick (Pat) Mahoney, wife Anne of Colton, WA, and Laura Whitmore, husband Troy of Brighton, CO; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and sister, Joan Mestemacher, Union, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 3, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Parish in Ft. Collins. Interment immediately following at Grandview Cemetery in Ft. Collins. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Better People Care, PO Box 270425, Ft. Collins, CO 80525 or by following the link provided: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/betterpeoplecare Their knowledge, respect, support, and friendship have been and will continue to be invaluable.