Cleo Jo Cinea

Cleo Jo (Dent) Cinea, 87, of Centennial, CO, passed away peacefully at home on May 3, 2026. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Olinger Chapel Hill in Centennial on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00am.

Cleo was born in Cañon City, CO, on March 15, 1939. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1961 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She and her husband of 64 years, Gene, spent the first several years of their marriage traveling extensively for his work. They lived in many different places, both in the US and abroad, with Switzerland being her favorite. When discussing her travels, she used to say that after not leaving the state until high school, she certainly made up for lost time. They eventually returned to Colorado, where Cleo spent her time raising their family, volunteering at the elementary school, and doing charitable works through her membership in Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA).

She enjoyed many creative hobbies, such as sewing and quilting, painting, and knitting, as well as being known for her impeccable penmanship and her work in calligraphy. She was also an avid fan of the Colorado Avalanche and many Olympic Sports. Cleo never met a bunny she didn’t like, and she could beat any of us at Jeopardy.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Helen Dent. She is survived by her husband, Gene Cinea; her brothers, Chuck Dent (Lee) and Rich Dent (Erin); her children, Sheri Cinea and Keith Cinea (Olivia); and her three grandchildren, Chris, Ness, and Neil.

Cleo will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her quick wit, and her creative eye and attention to detail.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the charities Cleo supported through ESA.