July 10, 1948 – October 8, 2025

Elyse Winick Craig, 77, of Denver and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on October 8, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family. Elyse was born in Chicago on July 10, 1948, to Al and Diane Winick, and she and her brother Neal Winick grew up in the Chicago area. Elyse was a devoted mom to three beautiful daughters and a fun and loving grandmother (she was known as Cookie) to her seven grandchildren. She was the partner and loving wife with Kyle Craig, her husband of 55 years. Elyse was an adventurer at heart who found joy and inspiration in nature. She loved the outdoors and always encouraged her friends and family to join her in pursuing adventures and activities that pushed them to hike farther, ski faster, go higher, and enjoy all that life and Steamboat had to offer.
Elyse spent her early years in the central Chicago area. In elementary school, she and her family moved to Glencoe, IL, where she attended Central Middle School and New Trier High School. She was engaged in school activities and was a competitive equestrian and member of the school ski club. There she first fell in love with Colorado and the mountain lifestyle.
Elyse attended college at the University of Kansas, and spent much of her junior year on a College Aboard a Ship program that took her halfway around the world and sparked a lifelong appreciation for travel and global perspectives. She finished her degree at Boston University where she received her BA in Elementary Education. There she met the love of her life Kyle Craig, and they married in August of 1970.
Together, Elyse and Kyle built a rich and adventurous life, living in Boston, Chicago, Tampa, Miami, Long Island, Dallas, Louisville, Denver and Steamboat Springs. Their three daughters–Kasey, Corey, and Darcy–were each born in different cities as Elyse and Kyle moved and embraced new opportunities. No matter where life took them, Elyse poured her heart into motherhood: volunteering in the classroom, driving to all the activities, and cheering and supporting her girls in every way imaginable. At the same time, she shared her love of learning as an elementary school teacher, inspiring countless young children to approach learning–and life–with the same curiosity and zest that defined her. Because of her caring, fun and giving nature, she developed lifelong friendships in these diverse communities.
When they moved to Colorado in 1992, they knew they had found their forever home. For more than three decades, Elyse thrived in the Denver and Steamboat Springs communities she loved so dearly. Elyse’s perfect week included multiple Pilates classes, horseback riding, long trail hikes or skiing Mt. Werner with her friends, kayaking on Lake Catamount in Steamboat, and long early morning walks with Kyle or friends. She never slowed down, and it was often hard to just keep up with Elyse. She had a true zest for life.
Elyse is survived by her husband Kyle, her brother Neal Winick, her daughters, Kasey McJunkin, Corey Craig, and Darcy Parrillo, and the apples of her eyes…her seven grandchildren, Hayden and Reece McJunkin; Carter, Riley, and Tyler Griffin; and Hayes and Shyne Parrillo.
There will be a celebration of life for Elyse at the Denver Botanic Garden on November 22. Services will begin at 12pm noon. If anyone chooses to honor Elyse, they can make a donation to Warren Village in Denver, or the charity of their choice.