Happy Birthday, Marla! And I must say…“What a beautiful baby!” It is easy to see she has a happy spirit, very intelligent, generous, tenacious, confident, full of energy and charisma. Wow…that is SOME baby!

She is looking elegant at a Denver Art Museum fundraiser.

Marla is a woman of many talents and personal passions. She is a big supporter of dance in Denver, especially Colorado Ballet Company. She served as president of the Denver Ballet Guild, Chairman of the Debutante Le Bal de Ballet, President of the Junior Symphony Guild, and chairman of the Designer Showhouse. After college she completed her Masters Degree at the University of Denver then taught special education students. Later, with baby Lisa at home, she left public schools and in our home taught 2 Down’s Syndrome children who had been excluded from public schools because they had IQs under 80. Gerard was in the test case to fight for the right to education in Colorado and won. With public schools opening to them, the non-profit world became important. Denver’s Anchor Center for Blind Children which was started by her Delta Gamma sorority and the Denver Art Museum are favorites. She is firebrand for justice, human rights, and women’s issues, and supports political campaigns for evolved candidates around the country. Raising Lisa and Stacy was THE most important with countless carpools, sports competitions, and volunteering at school. When they were both attending school, she began ballet lessons then ran an interior design business specializing in medical offices!

When the girls were both in college, I asked her to work fulltime in our family business as I needed her strong administrative skills. She parted from most of the non-profit world and returned to the business, eventually becoming president of the company. She is what I call a “dedicated and tough cookie.”

She walks in the 5th arrondissement with her own beautiful and unique style.

Her favorite moments are being with her family.

She loves exposing our grandchildren to unique and often transformative experiences.

With our younger grandsons in Northern Thailand last summer.

With the Girls.

Taking a favorite hike high above Geneva Glen Camp where she spent 8 years of two week sessions when she was young. The rest of the summer included a family vacation or working for Wesco.

She has an adventurous spirit and loves experiencing new cultures. This is with a Maasai family in the Masai Mara national Reserve in Kenya.

A chilly November day at the Great Wall of China.

She loves learning with our guide in Rabat Morooco.

Helping guide a group of our clients at the Goa Gajah temple near Ubud, Bali.

We loved learning from our guide in Northern Thailand last summer.

Her favorite islands are the Big Island in Hawaii and the isle of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. She is always drawn to sunsets.

Marla enjoys a sunset over the Rockies.

Always willing to lend a hand!

Marla is fully in her medieval attire for a dinner with clients in France.

I wouldn’t put it past her to want to join a Balinese dance group.

“May you have a wonderful Happy Birthday and a year of happiness, good health, and transformation.”

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.