Elaine Kay Irwin

On December 12, 2021, after fighting several types of cancer over a 20 year period, Elaine Kay Duncan Irwin left this earth to walk in the garden with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She passed peacefully surrounded by her immediate family.

Elaine was born at her parents' home and was attended to by a nurse as the doctor was staying with a man who was dying. She was the youngest of three sisters, Twila Lea and Joyce Joan who loved her deeply. Elaine was preceded in death by her father and mother.

She attended Deerfield schools graduating as salutatorian of her high school class. She graduated from Emporia State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas with a B.S. in Education. In her senior year at college, she met her husband Richard Irwin. Together, they started their teaching career in Chapman, Kansas. Elaine taught sixth grade before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado where her husband pursued a Master's Degree. They were married for 59 years.

Elaine was the mother of three children: Richard Todd, Brent Allen, and Janet Elaine. As a stay-at-home mom, she was active in her children's school activities. She taught Sunday School and was a Den Mother in the scouting program. Her faith was the anchor of her life. She led Christian Women's Club and other bible studies to young women. She was active in church and went on several mission trips to Texas, England, and Scotland in support of Wycliffe Bible Translators. She and her husband took several overseas trips to Israel, Greece, and Turkey (following in the footsteps of Paul).

She worked in the banking business in Loveland both at Savings Industrial Bank and Sun Savings Bank. She was a substitute cook for Meals on Wheels and Chew and Chat. Before retiring, she working 22 1/2 years at Poudre Valley Hospital in admissions. Recently, she was the "baker" for the Swan Tea House in Loveland, a job that she loved.

Elaine loved plants and seemed to have a green thumb. Her yard was a showcase of trees and shrubs. There was always blossoms and color every season of the year. She belonged to the Foothill Gardeners in Fort Collins. As an avid collector of antiques, she belonged to Questers (an international antique study and preservation group) and had been Colorado state president. She enjoyed collecting "blue Christmas plates," kerosene lamps, and giving programs on all her collections. Elaine was also a member of PEO and enjoyed helping women continue their careers.

Elaine was loved and survived by her 2 sisters, husband, 3 children and their spouses, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be at Allnutt Funeral Service - Drake Chapel (650 W. Drake Rd. Fort Collins, Colorado 80526) on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Kevin Wolfe officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery on a future date.

Although flowers are welcome, alternate memorial contributions may be made in Elaine's memory to Food Bank of Fort Collins (5706 Wright Dr. Loveland, CO 80538), The Questers (Colorado State Questers c/o Karen Mordi 9318 Merino Cr. Littleton, CO 80125) or the PEO Local Chapter GS (Molly Janzen 1344 Catalpa Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80521).