Mary Paxman Obituary

Mary Kathleen (McGuire) Paxman was born November 3, 1951 in Greeley, CO, to Eugene and Gladys McGuire, who later lived in Durango, and died in Modesto, CA, September 28, 2025.

Kathleen grew up in Durango, graduating from Durango High School in 1970. She moved to Tucson, AZ, where she undertook training as a beautician, and by 1978 had settled in California. She remained appreciative of her time in Durango and early in her marriage managed some trips to southwest Colorado.

She was predeceased by her parents and her husband of almost 25 years, Gaylen A. Paxman. She and Gaylen made their home in Ripon, CA. She is survived by sons Nickalous and Michael Paxman and granddaughters Ashlyn Nicole and Natalie Raylen Paxman in Ripon, brothers David and Patrick McGuire and their families in AZ & CA, and brother-in-law Dale Paxman in TX. Despite battling several health issues including cancers over the past 16 years, she carried herself with grace and a sturdy spirit and remained resilient, strong, loving, and optimistic.

Kathleen was an open, giving person who befriended many people over the years. She created music, poetry, and art. She was a member of a Ripon women's a capella choir for many years. She carved wood and bone and to the end she continued to produce meditative abstract drawings. Nature and her inner life inspired the words of her poems shared with her family. She is missed by all who have known her.

A celebration of life will be held in Ripon at a future date.