Elinor McGinn

Elinor Mary (Myers) McGinn

July 25, 1923 – March 31, 2024

After a week of being surrounded with family, Elinor Mary (Myers) McGinn passed peacefully on Easter Sunday morning. Elinor was born in Minoa, New York to Nellie Schaefer and Raymond Myers on July 25, 1923. One hundred years ago, her family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado as a cure for her father’s asthma.

She was part of quite an era, graduating in 1941 from Grand Junction high school. Subsequently, she attended Mesa Junior College, and later received a Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude from Loretto Heights college in 1945. She taught history and became Dean of Women at Lamar Junior College. In 1950, she received her Master of Arts from the University of Colorado.

Having met at the University of Colorado, she married John Robert McGinn in 1950. Following the path of John’s career as a City Manager, they lived in various towns in Colorado and New Mexico including, Pueblo, Montrose, Brighton, Raton (NM), Aztec (NM), La Junta, and Canon City. Throughout, Elinor taught history and English in junior and senior high schools for over 30 years, while rearing their four children. She had a passion for various community affairs. Among other things, she chaired the community United Nations Day and organized school trips to Washington DC. and New York City.

Upon retirement, Elinor and John moved to Lafayette where she completed her PhD in History from the University of Colorado in 1990. An expert on Western American History, she wrote and published numerous local histories and led historical societies in several communities. Her book on labor at the Colorado State Penitentiary, “At Hard Labor” (1993), was a first-of-a-kind study and widely quoted in correction circles. Her biography on Josephine Roche led to her acceptance as a Chautauqua Scholar and spread her joy in many first-person presentations throughout Colorado.

Throughout her life, she was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), historical societies, book clubs, Great Decisions, and foreign policy discussion clubs. Elinor and John had a passion for entertaining and useful social work via numerous bridge clubs, gourmet dinner clubs and most of all Boulder’s Sacred Heart of Mary Church where she was a Stephen’s Care Minister.

From her agrarian roots, she enjoyed gardening, especially raising raspberries and providing jam for friends and family. Vigorously active throughout her life, she participated in family skiing, tennis and swimming, often walking 3 miles a day as a 98 year old. Elinor and John travelled widely and enjoyed the company of children and grandchildren on trips such as China (1980), Russia, Greece, Egypt, Spain, South America and much more.
She is survived by her four children John (Leslie), Judy Patno (Brian), Janet Driscoll (Paul), and Jim. She enjoyed numerous travels and good experiences with her grandchildren: Jon-Michael McGinn, Jason McGinn, Jourdan McGinn (Scott VanArsdale), Eric Patno (Janina), Noelle Pacold (Luke Pacold), Sean Patno, Sarah Patno, Nathaniel Driscoll, Matthew Driscoll, Peter Driscoll (Monika Driscoll), Lisa Lopes (Michael Lopes), Timothy Driscoll, and Amira McGinn. Her legacy will live on in her seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John Robert McGinn (2015) and her sister Shirley (Myers) Jorgensen (2021).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Boulder or the Sister Carmen Center in Lafayette. Memorial services will be held April 10 at Sacred Heart of Mary in Boulder, CO. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10:30 AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial services will immediately follow at Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery as well as a reception in St. Bernard Hall at Sacred Heart of Mary. Please visit www.greenwoodmyersfuneral.com to offer condolences.