“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give,” is the Winston Churchill quote that Terry and Mike Faber exemplify. The retired couple moved to The Canyons in 2023 and spend their time serving and volunteering for multiple organizations.

“We have always been big volunteers; we sign up for everything,” said Terry, who learned from her parents. “It is a way to connect and you meet the most amazing people.”

Originally from Carlsbad, New Mexico, Terry’s dad was a park ranger for Carlsbad Caverns National Park and her first job was working at the gift store. She also worked in the potash mines, which helped her pay for college at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Terry traveled back and forth from Albuquerque to Indiana for an internship with an Army base where she was ultimately hired and moved to Bloomington. In the 1990s, the job transferred her to New Jersey.

Mike hails from Rochester, New York, and attended Ithaca College. As a television sportscaster, his first job was at KREX in Grand Junction and then he moved to a south Texas station. Wanting more time on weekends, Mike went into financial services and worked for Merrill Lynch and then Charles Schwab, living in Santa Fe.

“Mike was a New York boy who moved to New Mexico and I was a New Mexico girl who was living in New Jersey,” laughed Terry.

One fateful day, a colleague at Mike’s office said, “My sister has a friend in New Jersey. I think you two should meet.” Mike questioned the logic of dating a girl who lived across the country. But a few phone calls and a few weeks later, Terry flew to Santa Fe where she met Mike in person and it was fait accompli.

The couple married in Santa Fe and settled in Denver because of the big airport, good schools and the outdoor lifestyle. They moved to The Pinery in Parker in 1996.

Terry and Mike have two adult sons, Nick and Chris, who attended Regis Jesuit High School. The boys were raised Catholic, Terry’s religion, and also were taught of their Jewish heritage from Mike’s side.

Nick graduated from the University of San Diego and today works for a multinational corporation in Manhattan. Chris graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and lives in Santa Clarita working for an aeronautics firm.

In December, Terry concluded her career with 42 years in human resources. Mike has coached executive leadership development for the last 20 years as a semi-retired gig.
Terry serves on the Parks and Recreation advisory board for the City of Castle Pines and volunteers at Pepper’s Dog Sanctuary (see related article page 17), the Denver Zoo and at Treasures, the thrift store at Help & Hope Center. She is also representing her family, working with the Department of Defense, to find her uncle’s lost remains from the Korean War. Terry has signed up to volunteer at the US Senior Open at The Broadmoor at the end of this month.

Mike volunteers with Denver Rescue Mission, reads to elementary school kids at the Douglas County Libraries, works elections, mentors students at the University of San Diego and volunteers for the Parker Task Force.

Mike and Terry are the host family for two out-of-state Air Force Academy student athletes, Alexis Cortez, a basketball player and cousin of Terry’s, and Alexis’ boyfriend Blake Fletcher, a football player. The Fabers attend the students’ athletic events and are their “parents” away from home.

“It’s a pretty busy and fulfilling lifestyle,” added Mike. “Community engagement is important, but it’s important to define it for yourself.”

In their spare time, Mike plays golf and Terry hits the gym. They enjoy traveling, with a recent trip to London, and an African safari is planned for later this year.

 

By Hollen Wheeler; photos courtesy of Terry and Mike Faber