Molly-Jayne Martin Bangert, BSN RN CDE passed away of natural causes related to her life-long struggle with diabetes on March 9, 2016 in her second home in Kayenta, Arizona. She was employed there as Kayenta Service Unit Diabetes Coordinator for Indian Health Services/Navajo area serving the Kayenta Health Center, Inscription House Health Center and Dennehotso Health Station. She and her husband Buckley Bangert shared time in Kayenta and at their home in Cortez with Shush-Yaz, their most beloved poodle.

Molly-Jayne was born October 13, 1961 to Joyce Carroll Martin and L. Wayne Martin in Alamosa where her parents met at Adams State College. Joyce was one of four daughters of Bernice and Kenneth Carroll of Alamosa and Wayne was a son of Joe and Vada Martin, a ranching family in Bayfield, CO. She is survived by her husband Buckley, brothers Patrick Martin and wife Sunita of Merida, Mexico and Michael Martin and wife Kristi of Crawford, CO and their families, her father Wayne and wife Annie, her mother-in-law Lola Mae Bangert of Grand Junction, CO, brother-in law Doug Bangert of Grand Junction, sisters in law Peggy MeCool and husband Morris of Seattle, WA and Deb Bonzek and husband Henry of Grand Junction, CO and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews. Appropriate to mention here is Shush-Yaz, her constant companion and medical assistance (hypoglycemic aware) poodle. Shush-Yaz saved her life at least three times by alerting her when she had dangerously low blood sugars.

After Molly-Jayne was born the family moved from Alamosa to Durango and then on to Kansas City where both of her parents were brokers for United Farm Agency, now United National Real Estate. The family built a beautiful country home south of Kansas City to raise Molly-Jayne and brothers Patrick Wayne and Michael Carroll. Among other amenities, it had facilities for teaching twirling, gymnastics and dance. Her first job was teaching in that studio as she was quite talented and willing to share her expertise. In addition to a cherished bear collection, many would tell you she collected trophies. Yes, she had a room full of trophies for twirling, modeling, and dance. With her mother she often traveled to competitions out of state to compete, frequently taking students to compete as well. One special recognition she received was National Baton Twirling Champion. Another was a full scholarship offer to University of Hawaii to twirl. However, upon graduation from Cass Midway High School in 1979, she chose to continue her pursuit of excellence by attending Kansas University and as lead baton twirler for Kansas University Marching Band, traveling home on the weekends to teach. Multi-talented, she played oboe and other instruments and sang beautifully. She had the honor of being the first female to lead the KU Marching Band. While at KU she spent three years working as Resident Hall Advisor. She received a BA in Speech Communications and Human Relations in 1986 and worked toward a degree in Post-Secondary Agency Counseling. During this time also worked being a KC Chiefs cheerleader into her busy life.

After meeting Buckley Bangert on a trip to visit grandparents Bernice and Kenneth Carroll, she decided stay in the San Luis Valley and get a job at the First National Bank as receptionist to get better acquainted with the young man working on a Master’s Degree and painting houses with Dr. Joe Carter. He was frequently seen chatting with the receptionist, roses or a collectable bear in hand. She was married in the First United Methodist Church in Alamosa in 1986 to her sweetheart, Buckley, following his proposal to her on a romantic picnic in the foothills near Del Norte. Although the couple had no children, they had numerous poodles who were not only beloved family members but also medical companions. Alamosa became their home, the community their family!

Experiencing the need for more information about diabetes, Molly-Jayne made of career of learning and sharing what she learned with others, both formally as a diabetic educator and informally as a friend. She received an Elementary Education teaching degree from Adams State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse degree from Regis University. She received numerous certifications related to the nursing field and diabetes education which provided her with information to use and share. While a student teacher in the Del Norte, Colorado school district, she was known to make bets on games between the KC Chiefs and Broncos, paying if she lost with a six pack of diet coke. If she received a six pack of regular coke when the Broncos won, the person giving it would most likely get a friendly lecture about the sugars in coke! Always with a giggle and a smile!

Molly-Jayne cherished many friends from the San Luis Valley. Friends she came to know through the membership in the First Methodist Church and Xi Alpha Tau chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She worked at Conejos County Home Nursing Service, Conejos County Hospital as a Certified Diabetes Educator where she developed the nationally recognized American Diabetes Association Diabetes Education Program and later the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center where she also served as Diabetes Educator. She was Program Director for the Diabetes education Empowerment Program called “DEEP.”

Molly-Jayne received much recognition and numerous awards, but the most cherished was being nominated for the Florence Nightengale Award. Many summers she accompanied SLV children to Camp Colorado for Youth, a diabetes camp where she served as counselor. She knew how important it was in the nursing and teaching to have students experience the practical application. She made sure they learned what they needed to properly care for themselves.

Diabetes education was her passion. She truly took every advantage to share her knowledge with anyone and everyone. One special friend said he was amazed to hear her on the radio talking so directly and passionately about diabetes issues in the San Luis Valley.

When she accepted the challenge to share her knowledge with people in the Navajo Nation in Kayenta, Arizona, she gave it her all! She truly loved working with the people there and cherished their friendships beyond words. It became her second home! She was dedicated to making a difference for anyone who faced the challenges of being diabetic. When that meant going to the ER in the middle of the night because someone was there who needed her or traveling far reaching areas even when she was challenged with her own health, she went. She loved people and she loved helping them. It was her life!

Viewing will be at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa on Monday, March 14, 2016 5-8 pm with Funeral Service at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church on 2005 Mullins Ave. in Alamosa. The family requests that donations in the memory of Molly-Jayne be made to the church of their choice.

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