We are so very sad to report that our dear friend Candace Stuart, owner of Wild Bird Center at S. Colorado Blvd. and Mexico Ave., was the innocent victim of an Aurora police chase on July 28.
Her vehicle was struck by the suspect being pursued, and her injuries proved fatal. The suspect has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide.
Candace Rhea Stuart was born in Checotah, Okla., on Aug. 13, 1945, and graduated from Muskogee High School. She went on to earn an education degree from Oklahoma State University, but found her calling in the business world in Denver. After 20 years as a business consultant, she opened a Wild Bird Center franchise at 1685 S. Colorado Blvd. in 1994. She was a popular backyard-birding resource for customers, friends and the media – contributing to a Saturday-morning radio show with local gardening expert John Cretti for several years.
Candace’s parents were Herbert J. Stuart, of Tulsa, Okla., and Joyce G. Perry and stepfather Edson L. Perry, of Muskogee, Okla., all deceased. She is survived by a brother, Dennis G. Stuart, of Fresno, Calif.; and a sister, Lisa L. Perry, of Denver. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wild B.I.R.D. Rehabilitation Center: wildbirdrehab.com/Wild_B.I.R.D./Ways_To_Donate.html.