Mary Ellen Sinnwell

Mary Ellen Sinnwell, 66, of Estes Park, Colorado, passed away on July 14, 2026. She was born on May 2, 1960, to Catherine and Leo Sinnwell in Waterloo, Iowa.

She graduated from Columbus High School in Waterloo in 1978, then attended Drake

University in Iowa, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism in 1982. After receiving her Masters in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green University in Ohio, she held various positions in Student Life at University of Northern Iowa, Michigan State, University of Iowa, and Colorado State University. After leaving CSU, she opened a small shop called Every Nook & Cranny in downtown Fort Collins, Colorado. She was working for the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park at her passing.

Mary is survived by her siblings, Susan Joyce, Tom Sinnwell (Linda), Alan Sinnwell (Joanna), Bill Sinnwell (Sue), Gary Sinnwell, Patty Sinnwell, and Mark Sinnwell (Beth).

She was a special aunt to her nieces and nephews, Christine, Shannon, Steven, Kristal, Catherine, Michael, Joseph, Hannah, Lauren, Bailey, and Alissa. She was preceded in death by her father Leo and mother Catherine, brothers Jack and Jerry, sister-in law Sue, and niece Star Marie.

Mary was a strong-minded, creative, and independent woman. She was passionate about helping students achieve their potential and finding their place in university life. She loved being her own boss at Every Nook & Cranny; her t-shirts were a favorite among locals and tourists alike. At the end, she found a home at YMCA of the Rockies, living in the mountains she loved. Her many relatives, friends, and colleagues will miss her deeply.

Services are scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation for an hour before service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Larimer County, Colorado NAMI (https://namilarimer.org/), Black Hawk County, Iowa NAMI (https://www.namibh.org/), or YMCA Camp of the Rockies (https://www.ymcarockies.org/annual-fund).