Monica Stephens

Monica Wigley Stephens, an avid painter, gardener, and reader, passed away on February 8, 2026, in Westminster, CO. Born to Arthur W. Wigley and Ivy Lewer Wigley on July 16, 1927, in London, England, Monica attended Wimbledon College of Art, where she earned her diploma.

Meeting physician James. W. Stephens at London’s Queens Square Hospital, where she was working as a technician, led to their marrying in Croydon, Surrey, England, April 1951. Soon, the couple immigrated to Canada for his career. Their first two children – Timothy and Alison – were born there before the couple relocated again. This time, their adventures took them to Denver, CO, in 1953, where children Andrew and Hilary were born.

James unexpected passing September 22, 1966, left this young widow with four children, ages 14-7, to raise. Although she never lost her love of painting, she needed to support their family. She worked as the “Play Lady” in the University of Colorado’s Children’s Pediatric Ward from 1966-1972. After a brief break to pursue her painting, Monica returned to the University of Colorado’s Health Sciences Center, where she remained as an ultrasound sonographer 1974-1987.

Monica was feisty, witty, and fiercely independent. She pottered in the garden, kept an active social calendar, and flirted with waiters into her nineties. In the family, she was renowned for her refusal to tolerate nonsense, her insistence on manners, and her relentlessly brisk walking. But she also led a creative and curious life.

She traveled the world, filling her house with beautiful and whimsical mementos. She asked family and friends to send photographs of their journeys so she could share in their adventures. And she accumulated a vast reservoir of stories, so that any conversation might be met with, “Well, you, know dear, I once rode a mule…a camel…had a goat…grafted roses…nearly ran someone over…” She painted and knitted and became the matriarch of a sprawling family whose walls are graced with markets, galaxies, and cats, while her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have been wrapped in generations of her cozy sweaters.

Monica is survived by her sons, Timothy James Stephens (Diane Copty, Littleton, CO) and Andrew Wills Stephens (Agnes Stephens, Berlin, Germany), daughters Alison Clare Stephens (Steve Doane, Boulder, CO) and Hilary Ann Stephens (Peter Houck, Seattle, WA), along with 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A private family service is planned at this time. Memorial contributions can be made in Monica’s name to National Public Radio (NPR), Colorado Public Radio (CPR), 1-800-722-4449, ext. 1, P.O. Box 17429, Denver, CO 80217-0429.