The University of Denver community is mourning the loss of staff member Marie Younkerman, who died July 8. She was 58.
She was assistant to the director in the department of statistics and operations technology in Daniels College of Business. Colleagues said it was a primary goal of Younkerman to complete her degree when she joined DU in 1995. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at the Women’s College in 2007.
An advocate for women’s issues, Younkerman had been a longtime member of Staff Women’s Association and Network (SWAN).
“She was always very supportive of women, always wanting to help out,” says DU’s Women’s Coalition chairperson Meg Steitz. “She was a very pleasant, kind and friendly colleague,” she adds.
Younkerman was the 2006–07 recipient of the Robin Morgan Award, given to a DU appointed staff woman who goes above and beyond her University responsibilities to promote and enhance the University community.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, John; children Scott, Brian and Michelle; four grandchildren; and three brothers and two sisters.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 15, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 10 a.m. The church is located at 1985 Miller Street in Lakewood, Colo.