Margaret "Chirp" Lucile Roderick

Margaret Lucile “Chirp” Roderick passed away October 12, 2024 at her home in Cedaredge, Colorado. She was 91.

 Chirp, nicknamed by her dad, was born June 14, 1933, in Paonia Colorado to Ernest and Anna (Epple) Winter. She and four older siblings grew up on the Epple family farm at Bone Mesa outside of Hotchkiss Colorado. 

 Chirp graduated from Hotchkiss High School in 1951 and earned a degree in music at Western State College in Gunnison in 1955. She met her first husband, Harold Joe Waldrum, in the music department at Western. They married after graduation, became teachers, and had two children, Kriss Milburn and Ruanna Le. 

 Chirp taught vocal music at all levels for the public school in Lakin Kansas during the 1960s.

 Chirp married Wallace Blair Roderick in 1972, moved to Garden City Kansas, and continued sharing music at nursing homes and at the epic parties she and Wallace hosted. She sang alto in “La Camerata,” a Garden City-based vocal group. The couple moved to Woodland Park Colorado in the late 1970s, where they participated in Saddle Club and co-founded the Doodah Kazoo Band. After they relocated to western Colorado, Chirp continued playing piano and keyboard gigs at nursing homes, parties, and at Cedaredge Pioneer Town. Chirp was known for the fun she created, the art she collected, her hearty laugh, mischievous quips, and her famous frozen margaritas. She hosted a Tuesday afternoon BYOB gathering for “the ladies” well into her 80s. She loved reading, crosswords, Peanuts comics and TV specials, keeping up with friends and family, and rooting for the Broncos.

 She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Wilma Winter O’Conner, Merle Winter, Agnes Winter LeRoy and Norma Winter Keenan; husband Wallace; and best friend from childhood Barbara Wheeler Burritt of Redlands Mesa Colorado. She is survived by son Kriss (Mimi) Waldrum of Campbell California; daughter Ruanna (Andrew Martinez) Waldrum of Truth or Consequences New Mexico; stepdaughter Amanda Roderick of Colorado Springs; stepson Kevin Roderick of Guffey Colorado; cousin Elaine Harper of Cedaredge; and several nieces and nephews.

 The family would like to thank the many neighbors who watched over Chirp (especially chef Ron), and the people who supported her at Delta Hospital, Montrose ARU, Delta Home Health, Cedaredge Outpatient Therapies through Delta Health (especially Betsy Botsford) and at Hope West Delta. Special thanks to Mel Hudgens, Cyndi Vocke and Megan Pittman of Delta, and to the family’s Fairy Godfather, Rob Stuart of Pecos NM.

 Chirp would want us all to raise a glass and sing a song in her honor. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held in summer of 2025 in Cedaredge. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations sent “In memory of Chirp Roderick” to Hope West, PO Box 24, Delta, CO 81416.