Mary Ellen Hadad, 94, died peacefully on September 20, 2026, in Windsor, Colorado. Her life was defined by deep faith, endless curiosity, and a generous commitment to others.
Mary Ellen’s devotion to her Catholic faith and Holy Trinidad Catholic Church anchored everything she did. Trinidad was her beloved home—the place where she raised her family, led civic efforts, and spent decades greeting friends at the family furniture store on Main Street.
Her final years were spent in Northern Colorado, surrounded by family, devoted friends, and the compassionate team at Good Samaritan Water Valley.
Because a century of rich living cannot be captured in a few lines, her family chooses to honor her through the voice and spirit she shared so generously. Originally written in 2010, here is Mary Ellen’s journey in her own words:
“I was born in 1932 on a farm near Kilkenny, Minnesota, to Lyle and Ellen Miller. When I was four years old, my parents, brother Charles and I moved to my maternal grandfather’s farm near Waterville. I attended nearby country school until junior high when I went to Waterville, graduating from high school in 1950. I had an early interest in history and read a lot of biographies. I had two high school teachers who instilled in me a love of history and politics.
In 1950, I enrolled at the College of St. Benedict’s where I spent four great years and made life-long friends. I graduated with a major in history and a minor in social studies. During the summers, I worked at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs as a waitress and parking valet. Having decided to move to Colorado, I began looking for a job as a history teacher. In 1954, the Branson school board hired me to be sight-unseen to teach high school. I spent four enjoyable years with the people of that
small ranching community, who were so friendly and made me feel at home from day one.
I moved to Denver in 1958 to work as a social worker at Denver Catholic Charities with children in orphanages and foster homes, and later in adoption placement. In 1962, I received my master’s degree in social work from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. I loved visiting Congress and all of the other important sights. I was there during the 1960 election, which was so inspiring.
I returned to Denver, then a few years later moved to Trinidad to help set up a grant-funded special education program in School District 1. I intended to return to Denver at the end of the two-year project.
While shopping for furniture, however, I met my future husband. Dave Hadad was working at his family’s furniture store, Hadad’s Home Furnishings, on Main Street. We were married a year later. Needless to say, I did not return to Denver! Dave and I have three children, David Jr. and his wife Molly, Sara and her husband Cole, and John and his partner Jason, and four grandchildren, Aengus, Zoe, Sophie and her husband Ben, and Michael.
We also enjoy many community activities. I have been a member of the Trinidad Historical Society for forty years and volunteered at the Trinidad History Museum for 35 summers. I served on the Holy Trinity Church Parish Council and on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity and the Trinidad Community Foundation. I am also a long-time member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood (Chapter J). My interests are reading (still mostly biographies), watching sports, bowling, playing bridge and spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren.”
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Hadad; her parents, Lyle and Ellen (Coughlin) Miller; her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Marie Miller; and her sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Ken Kloubec, and her sister Jean; and her beloved sisters and brothers-in-law from the Hadad family.
Her legacy lives through her children, David Hadad Jr. (Molly), Sara (Cole), and John (Jason); her four grandchildren, Aengus, Zoe, Sophie (Ben), and Michael. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Victor Hadad (Louise); her brother-in-law Earl Kiddie, her cousin Joe Hadad; dear friend Frances Bayes, and a wide circle of extended family, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will forever remember her steady grace, sharp mind, and generous spirit.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 3-6PM at Comi Funeral Home located at 1804 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082. The rosary will be recited at 6PM at the Comi Funeral Home Chapel.
A funeral mass will be held in honor of Mary Ellen at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, located at 135 Church Street, Trinidad, CO 81082 at 10 AM on Friday, October 2, 2026. Interment at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery immediately following mass.
Pallbearers are Ron Hadad, Nick Hadad, Aengus Revas, Michael Hadad, Jason Julye, and Ben Sargent. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Hadad, Mike Kloubec, Keith Kloubec, Mark Kloubec, Matt Kiddie, Mike Hadad, and Mark Bayes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Holy Trinity Church Restoration Fund.
Please contact Holy Trinity Parish at 719-846-3369.
Services under the care of Comi Funeral Home.
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