Our Angels looking down...

♥ ♥ ♥ a plain, but simple capture of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, I took when we stopped for gas on our trip to Utah in January of 2010. As we drove through Colorado, my thoughts were with Aunt Mary and Danny and my heart was full as if they were there with me. In memory of them both our angels, Aunt Mary Lane and Danny who are always watching over us. ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ Mary Lane Truax Goolsby December 31, 1945 - February 26, 2010 ♥

Durango resident Mary Lane Truax Goolsby died Friday, February 26, 2010. She was 64 years old. Mary was born to William F. and Kathleen Anna Truax on December 31, 1945. In 1972, she married Gary Lee Goolsby in Palos Verdes, Calif. They were married 14 years when the marriage ended in divorce. Mary earned her BS degree in Education from Louisiana State University and she earned her Masters degree from Adams State College. Mary began her teaching career in 1971 in Venice Beach, Calif. She owned and operated Conroy Flowers in Long Beach, Calif. In 1985, Mary moved her family to her home town where she became an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church working in the Parish office and became Director of their Capital Improvement Campaign. In 1995, Mary moved her family again to Durango, Colo., where she began substitute teaching at Durango High School. From 1998 to 2007, Mary was the Director of the Kid Time After School Program for the 9R School District in Durango. In 2008, Mary looked for a career change and was employed by Toh-Atin Publishing Company as a Sales Representative. She ended her working career at Tri-County Head Start. as Site Manager/Director. Mary was a devout Catholic and always an active parishioner. She was very talented in her flower business. She loved art, the beauty of the mountains, gourmet cooking and dinners with her local friends and family gatherings. Mary loved to travel and explore and made many friendships along the way. Her talents and accomplishments were unlimited. Mary volunteered locally for the United Way Christmas Bell Ringer and the Red Ball Express annual fundraisers. Mary was preceded in death by her second son Daniel Lee Goolsby. She is survived by son, Jason Patrick Goolsby, San Diego, CA, granddaughter Savannah Elizabeth Goolsby, Biloxi, MS, sisters Barbara Dorman, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Kathleen Graham, Long Beach, MS, Sylvia Newnom, Watkinsville, GA, brothers Billy Truax, Gulfport, MS, Jesse Truax, Kiln, MS, four nieces and four nephews.

♥ Daniel Lee Goolsby November 30, 1979- July 1, 2008 ♥

Durango High School graduate Daniel Lee Goolsby, 28, died Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at his home in Phoenix. The cause of death is unknown at this time. Mr. Goolsby was born on Nov. 30, 1979, in Long Beach, Calif. He moved with his family to Long Beach, Miss., in 1985 and attended Catholic school in Long Beach and Gulfport, Mississippi. Mr. Goolsby moved to Durango in 1995 and graduated from Durango High School with a football scholarship to Colorado State University, where he earned degrees in economics and finance. He began his work career in California with Beneficial Finance. He also worked in Denver and Phoenix. He had lived in Phoenix for a year and was a sales representative for Arrowhead Water. He loved his family and friends, who described him as a dedicated sportsman who loved all sports and sports competition. Mr. Goolsby is survived by his mother, Mary Truax Goolsby, of Durango; father, Gary Goolsby, of Phoenix; brother, Jason Patrick Goolsby, of San Diego; paternal grandmother, Kathleen Sadler Goolsby, of Phoenix; four uncles; four aunts; a niece; and numerous cousins.