Verna Marie Goral, née Moriarity, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025 in Golden, Colorado, at the age of 98. She was born on November 12, 1927 in Denver, Colorado, to Marie née Hoffman and Edwin Moriarity. Her parents divorced soon after her birth, and her mother, struggling to make ends meet, had no choice but to place Verna in an orphanage for a short time and then into foster care with Ray and Jeanne Hamilton. It was Verna’s stern Grandpa Hoffman who ultimately decreed that she should go live with her beloved Uncle Harry Hoffman and Aunt Lena, who welcomed her into their home on the farm near Longmont.

Not having children of their own, Harry and Lena devoted themselves to Verna and encouraged her to excel in school. She graduated from Longmont High School in 1945, a strong student with a deep love of learning and the arts. Verna also studied piano, which she continued to play into her adult years. She initiated piano instruction with all four of her children, beginning a love of music for each of them. Times were difficult during the Great Depression, but her life on the farm was happy. She loved her horse Duke and her dog Trixie, as well as two ducks, Polly and Peggy, who followed her around the farm and brought her endless joy.

Verna attended the University of Denver, where she was an active member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Her dedication to her studies and love of learning led to her being invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, in recognition of her excellence in liberal arts scholarship. She graduated with honors in 1949.

At DU, Verna met the love of her life, Brian Harold Goral, whom she married on June 25, 1950. They raised their children in the Applewood neighborhood near Golden, in the home they designed and built in 1963 — a home that remained their family’s gathering place for generations.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Brian, her son Bruce Goral, her son-in-law Christopher Tomko, and grandsons Rider Goral and Geoffrey Goral. She is survived by her children Bradley Goral, Diana Tomko, and Alan Goral (wife Gretchen); grandchildren Krista Goral, Sarah Tomko, Eric Goral (wife Anaïs), Matthew Goral, and Madeline Goral; and great-grandchildren Bradon, Lily, Oliver, and Elliot Goral.

Verna will be remembered for her intelligence, grace, and unwavering devotion to her family. She gave generously of her time and talents, volunteering with Great Books, the PTA, her children’s sports teams and classrooms, Head Start, and as an adult literacy mentor. For many years, she was also a member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, serving as president for one term.

Verna also loved to travel. As a young woman, she took a California road trip with “the entire eighth grade” (herself and one girl friend) and a cross-country train trip to Washington, D.C. with her sorority sisters. Later, she and Brian shared countless camping and road trips with their young family, visiting Yellowstone, Banff, Carlsbad Caverns, Arches National Park, Lake Powell, New York City, Washington, D.C., and California. In later years, she and Brian enjoyed journeys abroad to England, Ireland, Russia, the Scandinavian countries, Spain, and Mexico, cherishing each new experience together.

A proud and loving grandmother, she frequently hosted cousins’ overnights, often with as many as nine of her grandchildren together at once, but also for each one individually. Activities included games, movies, staging plays, and tea parties. Sunday morning breakfast with waffles was always a highlight.

Verna loved word games, puns, riddles, puzzles, and card games, especially bridge, pinochle, and poker. She also loved movies, particularly slapstick comedies and mystery and suspense thrillers from the golden age of Hollywood. Many knew Verna to be formal and serious, while her family knew her goofy side often giggling together over a movie or the Carol Burnett Show. Her nicknames were Tickle-britches, bestowed by Uncle Harry, Irish to her sorority sisters and Honey Girl to father-in-law, Bernie.

Verna will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Brian, at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.