Margaret Lorraine Letey Darien, a well-known teacher in the area, died in the early morning hour of her 100th birthday — July 24, 2008, in Carbondale, Colo., surrounded by her family. She enjoyed a long and fruitful life in the Roaring Fork Valley, and with the assistance of her daughter, Shirley Darien, was able to continue to live in her home in Basalt until February 2008.
Margaret was born to G. Major Letey and Pascaline Cerise Letey, on July 24, 1908, on their farm, now known as Aspen Glen. She married Ben Darien on Nov. 7, 1927, and they raised four children: Shirley Darien, Sonny Darien, Jerry Darien and Bobby Darien.
In 1944 the Dariens purchased the Kelley Building in downtown Basalt, which housed a hotel and bar. They renovated the building and created a business known as Basalt Supply, a general grocery and merchandise store that supplied valley ranchers with everything from nails to loafs of bread. They operated that business for 24 years. The lower portion of the building is now occupied by Mason & Morse Real Estate; the upper portion of the building remains the family residence.
Margaret graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 1926, and in 1927 began her teaching career. She continued her education through the years, and obtained her teaching degree from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley in 1964. She taught in various one-room country schools — including Emma, Snowmass, Catherine and El Jebel — and concluded her 30-year teaching career in Basalt Elementary School, retiring in 1977.
Margaret was an avid sports fan and gave her time as a pep club sponsor for 15 years. She followed all her children’s and grandchildren’s athletic endeavors, always there on the sidelines, and when she was 93 you could still find Margaret sitting on the sidelines at basketball games.
In addition to her teaching career, she served 15 years on the Basalt Town Council, 10 years on the regional library board, as mayor of Basalt for a period of time, was a charter member of the Eagle’s Auxiliary and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America in Glenwood Springs, and became a Lioness in Basalt.
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Ben; her parents; two sisters, Orsola Cerise and Emily Letey; and her brother, Major (Pat) Letey Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Darien, of Basalt; a son, Sonny Darien, and his wife, Bernie, of St. George, Utah; a son, Jerry Darien, and his wife, Debbie, of Covina, California; Bobby Darien and his wife, Jamie, of Glenwood Springs, and six grandchildren; Jay Darien and his wife, Wendy, of Longmont; Debbie Darien Baird and husband Ken of Fort Collins; Darlene Darien-Dion of Longmont; Dana Darien-Rodriquez and husband Phil, of Denver; Logan Darien and Lacey Darien, of California; and seven great grandchildren — Christopher and Kyle Baird, Kaylee and Caden Dion, Drew Darien, and Eric and Krystal Doganay.
There will be a rosary on Monday, July 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Glenwood Springs. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Stephen’s Church on Tuesday, July 29, at 1 p.m., with Father Tom Bradke officiating. Margaret will be laid to rest beside her husband in Rosebud Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Margaret’s name to Basalt Elementary School.
