Marybeth Williams Yarberry

Marybeth Williams Yarberry, 95, of Highlands Ranch, CO, died peacefully at Continuing Care at

Wind Crest on August 7, 2023, surrounded by her family.

She was born on January 2, 1928, to Leo Palmer Curtis and Eva Norberg Curtis in Glendale, CA.

After she graduated from high school in Pasadena, CA, the family moved to Colorado. Marybeth

received her music degree from Colorado State College of Education, today’s University of

Northern Colorado, where her two daughters would earn their own diplomas.

She met E. Don Williams at a church young people’s group meeting led by her parents. They

were married and had four children. The family moved to Deerfield, IL, in 1962 when Don was

transferred to Chicago. His employment with United Airlines enabled the family to travel

frequently, enjoying trips to Marybeth’s native California, Don’s native North Carolina, Hawaii

and the world.

One of Marybeth’s great passions was music. She taught private voice and piano lessons in her

home and sang solos in the choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, which she served

as an elder. For several years, she sang in the elite Chicago Symphony Chorus under the

direction of renowned director Margaret Hillis. The Chicago Symphony is one of the world’s

finest. Marybeth also had a keen eye for interior design. She shared her talents with clients on

Chicago’s North Shore and the Denver area after returning to Colorado in the late 1980s upon

Don’s retiirement. He passed in 1994. In 1999, she married Glen Yarberry, with whom she shared

 her love of music and travel. He died in April of 2023.

She was an elegant, accomplished, strong, warm and compassionate woman.

She loved and was beloved by her family. Her beautiful soprano voice and love of music inspired her oldest

daughter, son and a granddaughter to pursue their interest in music study and performance.

Her interior design skills were passed along to her youngest daughter.

Marybeth is survived by her children Carol Williams (John Gunn), Rollinsville, CO, Jane Kelso

(John), Littleton, CO, and David Williams, Littleton; grandchildren Jesse Florquist (Ryan),

Evergreen, CO, Brian Kelso, Golden, CO, James Williams, Denver, Sarah Gunn, Denver, Juli Anna

Williams, Denver, and Jeremy Williams, Denver; great-grandchildren Graycin and Rowan

Florquist, Evergreen; brother Gerald Curtis (Mary), Highlands Ranch; niece Christine Morris

(Doug), Thornton, CO; and nephews Carl Curtis (Tami), Westminster, CO, and Craig Curtis

(Bobbie), Parker, CO. Marybeth was predeceased by her parents, husbands and son Mark

Williams.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Wellshire Presbyterian

Church, 2999 South Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80222.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation,

www.AlzDiscovery.org.