I have lived, worked, and served in Golden for 65+ years. I have seen a lot of changes to our community for better or for worse, but it is my love and passion for Golden’s citizens and visitors alike that has kept me busy throughout my years here. I especially enjoy filling in the gaps where help is needed. I currently volunteer at the Golden Welcome Center/Golden Visitors Center, training and coordinating 45+ volunteers who serve as ambassadors for all our Golden businesses, educating residents and visitors alike on all that Golden has to offer. I have been in this role for three years. I am also a stepnana to 10 grandkids.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career/accomplishments. What do you love most about what you do?
I started working at the age of 13 in 1959 in the coffee shop of the Foss General Store, then transitioned to working at the Golden Ram restaurant above the store, and then as a buyer for the cosmetics department and the personnel manager for the entire Foss General Store. My career with the Foss family and Foss General Store spanned 38 years. I then worked at the Evergreen Drug Store for seven years before purchasing Mrs. B’s Baskets and reopening that store as Avenue Gifts from 2005 to 2020. I have also served in our community via the Golden Chamber, Golden Civic Foundation, Leadership Golden, Visit Golden as well as been a coordinator of Buffalo Bills Days, Goldenfest and Octoberfest.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants or breweries in our community?
Coors is my favorite brewery. The Coors family is very community oriented, and I have known this wonderful family since I was a young girl. Table Mountain Inn is a favorite – great food and people!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived and worked in the community 66 years.
Q: What is one of your favorite hiking or biking trails?
I love to walk the Clear Creek trail.
Q: What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
Twenty years ago, I would have told myself to “go for it,” as I was about to open my own shop in Golden. Ten years ago, I would have told myself to focus on family more versus my business.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Foss General Store makes me the most nostalgic because I was lucky enough to be mentored by people who truly loved Golden and our community. I also loved Meyer Hardware and the wonderful service it provided for customers and staff alike. Sad to see it go.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that Golden is so beautiful, that people want to live here, that it is ideally located, and that it is secluded enough to feel like our own village.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That I have served and lived in Golden for 66 years.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Heinie Foss – he instilled in me a work ethic and a love for this community, which he got from his mother – Dorothy – who ran the store alone after the passing of her husband before remarrying.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
SAFE/CLEAN/SAD – It is hard to see the history of Golden disappearing as the longtime residents pass on. Golden has endured some challenging times to get to a place where it is today. There are so many important people who have lived and served here and who have created such wonderful legacies for our city.
