Shonda Cortez, 52, died peacefully in Carbondale, Colorado, from complications of breast cancer. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Ed Cortez; her parents, Alan and Laura Zeigel of Denver; her sister and brother-in-law, Désha and Rick Davis of Edmonds, Washington; her brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Nancy Zeigel of Carbondale; and her cherished nephews and nieces, Ian and Mollie Davis; and Megan, Arick, and Alli Zeigel.

Shonda was born in Boulder, Colorado. She graduated from Boulder High School in 1973 and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976 with a B.A. in Latin American studies. She majored in Spanish and minored in art history. She and Ed met in college and were married on Dec. 20, 1975. 

Shonda discovered a love of teaching late in life when she began working as a bilingual teacher’s aide at Basalt Elementary School in 1995.  She was studying for teacher certification and had finished her first year as a second-grade bilingual teacher at BES when she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 1998. She later returned to the classroom as a special education aide at Carbondale Middle School. She also worked throughout a period of 10 years for a private animal shelter and animal welfare organization, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society in Lynnwood, Washington.

Shonda loved children and animals, including the dogs, cats, and guinea pigs with whom she and Ed shared their lives. She enjoyed fiber arts (especially knitting) and gardening, and had a passion for reading.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Carbondale on Wednesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made, if desired, to any favorite charity, especially local organizations dedicated to people or animals in need, such as Roaring Fork Hospice (1906 Blake Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601) and C.A.R.E. (Colorado Animal Rescue, 2801 CR 114, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601).

Editor’s note: We are reprinting this obituary in its entirety due to errors in the version we printed yesterday.