One of the two women killed in a double stabbing this week in Denver was a talented and popular local musician, while the other was a promising young English teacher at the University of Colorado in Denver.

The victims were identified Friday as Jennifer Gelvin, 49, and Katherine Pivoda, 33, by the Denver medical examiner’s office.

Gelvin, also known as Jennifer Gelvin Rouse, was a widow who lost her husband, Keith Rouse, to a heart attack on September 6, according to friends.

The couple, who were immersed in the Denver music scene and led the Fabulous Boogienauts, leave behind two teenage boys.

“They were good parents. They cared about everything their kids were going through in school, or everything that was going on in their children’s lives, ”said Steve Illich, a longtime friend and former neighbor.

The Fabulous Boogienauts performed mostly disco music, original songs and covers, Illich said. Keith Rouse was a trumpeter, who wrote music, and Jennifer Rouse was a singer, who wrote lyrics.

“They lived up to their name – fabulous – they had an incredible following,” said Illich, who is also a trumpeter.

A GoFundMe page was created to help the surviving children of Rouse, Jada, 17, and Jaz, 14, who are with an aunt and uncle in Windsor.

“Many uncertainties await these young children and the rest of the family as a new life awaits them” GoFundMe page said. “These two kids are going to need all the support we can give them in the days, weeks, months and years to come. Not only emotionally, but also financially.

The GoFundMe page is looking to raise $ 50,000 for funeral and memorial expenses, “new transitions, therapy, and any other reasons that may arise.” As of Friday morning, 605 donors had raised just over $ 58,000. A separate GoFundMe page has been published shortly after Keith’s death.

Pivoda was a English teacher at CU Denver where she taught three classes. She obtained a Master of Arts in Literature from the university and currently holds a PhD. student. Pivoda spent two years teaching composition and literature in Beijing, China, where she was the associate chair of CU Denver’s English program, according to the school’s website.

The university confirmed his death on Friday.

Scott McLeod, PhD director of Pivoda, said she was known as “Katy”.

“She was pretty awesome, she has that quick wit,” McLeod said. “Every time I spoke with her she had a huge smile on her face. She laughed a lot.

Pivoda is the first student McLeod lost in his 20 years as a teacher, he said.

“She has a personality that lights up the room, a lot of people will miss her.”

Pivoda was also a young mother, with two children, according to a separate GoFundMe page seeking to raise $ 20,000 for the surviving children.

The two fatal stab wounds occurred Wednesday morning in the 2200 block of South Marion Street, police said. The attack was classified as domestic violence.

Matthew Madden, 36, was arrested as a suspect in the case. Police said one of the victims was his ex-wife.

Madden is being held on suspicion of first degree murder. Both women died instantly.