Frances Currin

Born in Denver, CO on November 3, 1923

Departed on March 9, 2019 and resided in Denver, CO

• Visitation: Horan & McConaty Family Chapel Room: Chapel
  • Monday March 18, 2019 4:00pm to 6:00pm
• Funeral Service: People's Presbyterian Church
  • Tuesday March 19, 2019 11:00am to 12:30pm
• Graveside Service:
  • Tuesday March 19, 2019 2:30pm to 3:00pm

Frances Mozetta Currin was affectionately known by close family and friends as simply her middle name, Mozetta. Other names she went by include Mom, Grandma, Nana, and Aunt Mo. She was born on November 3, 1923, at home in Denver, CO to her parents Moses and Grace Hale. She was the third of four sisters. Her birth was assisted by the legendary Dr. Justina Ford. She was named after her Aunt Frances, and Mozetta for her father, Moses.
Mozetta attended Denver Public Schools, and upon her graduation from Manual High School, she had her first job as a stenographer with a Negro Life Insurance company, The American Woodman. When World War II began on December 7, 1941, Mozetta was prompted to apply for work in the nation's capital of Washington D.C. In March of 1942, she was appointed to a federal government job as a typist for the War Production Board, moving up to secretary before resigning July 1, 1945 to begin college.

In September 1945, Mozetta enrolled at the University of Denver until her graduation in June 1948. That same summer, she began working as camp counselor for the YWCA at Lookout Mountain. Her teaching career began in September of 1948 as an arts and crafts instructor at Gilpin Elementary School. She was one of the first teachers of color at Gilpin Elementary School.

On December 24, 1950, Mozetta married Windsor Marcellus Currin. She continued teaching until December 31, 1954, when she took maternity leave. Mozetta had her first, and only, son, Windsor Marc Currin on June 21, 1955. She took great pride in being his mother and watching him grow. She remained at home with him, until her return to work in September 1959 when she resumed teaching at Mitchell Elementary School.

On August 18, 1967, she received a Master of Arts degree with a major in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Denver. She was a counselor at Wyatt Elementary, as well as Kaiser Elementary Schools. An article that she had written on Elementary Counseling was published in The Guidance Newsletter of Fall 1967. The Denver Public School's bulletin, published in January 1968, commented as follows: "Mrs. Frances M. Currin, Wyatt School, is the author of "A Point of View" appearing in the December 1967 Colorado Guidance Newsletter. Mrs. Currin, an elementary school counselor, defines the elementary guidance concept".

Professional organizations, both social and educational, played important roles within her life. Memberships included the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, NAACP, the National Urban League, The Colorado-Wyoming Conference of Deans and Counselors, the United Profession, and The Black Genealogy Search Group of Denver, CO. Other civic activities included two terms as Committee Woman for Precinct, District 7B.

Mozetta was also a valued member of People's Presbyterian Church. Over the years within this church, she had many responsibilities: she taught Sunday School, joined the Mariners, and the Women's Association. She was also a representative to the National Meeting at Perdue for Women, a Delegate to the National Meeting of Presbyterian Women, and two years as the superintendent of the Vacation Bible School. She continued her growth throughout the church, eventually becoming an Elder and Parish leader.

Retiring from the teaching profession in September 1980, Mozetta and Marcellus indulged in their hobby of fishing and spending time in their mountain home in Nederland, until his death on December 24, 1981. She continued to travel with her sister, Dolores, visiting the Caribbean several times, Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, France, and Egypt.

In June 1993, Mozetta became a first-time grandmother to Marcella Currin. After becoming a grandmother, at age 70, she also took on the role again as mother to Marcella, when Marcella's mother, Cheryl Jefferson, died November 14, 1993 of cancer. With the assistance of Marcella's father, Marc, and her grandparents on the other side, she welcomed Marcella into her home, and enjoyed raising her into adulthood.

Mozetta departed this life on March 9, 2019, in Denver, CO, surrounded by love. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Windsor Marcellus Currin, her parents, and her three sisters, Myra, Grace, and Dolores. She leaves to cherish her memory, and mourn her loss her son, Windsor Marc Currin; her granddaughter, Marcella Currin; her great-granddaughter, Ja'Laiyah Dixon; her nephews, Everett Moon and Dr. Sheridan Hale-Groves; her longtime friend and caregiver Margaret Finley,and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.