Irene Mae Gomez

She was born April 19, 1942, to Earl Deforest and Lillian Mae (Moffitt) Garman, at their home in Minatare, Nebraska. She grew up in Denver, Colorado and graduated from North High School in 1960. She attended Kearney State College in Nebraska from 1962-1964. On November 28, 1964, she married the love of her life, John Samuel Gomez, at the Hillside United Presbyterian Church in Denver, CO. They were blessed with three daughters, Donna Leonne, Angela Joyce, and Jennifer Marie, and raised them in Westminster, CO. They later divorced in 1992 but remained good friends until his passing in 2005.

Her family moved to Denver, CO when she was 5 and she lived in the Denver metro area until she moved to Sterling, CO in 2001, to Aurora, CO in 2018,to Sturgis, SD in 2019, and then to Centennial, CO in 2021, where she lived out her last days.

She worked most of her life in various administrative management positions and retired in 2009. She was a member of both the American Business Women’s Association and Colorado Business Women, and was named ABWA Business Woman of the Year in 1985. She served as Secretary and President of the East Montclair Neighborhood Association. She loved to volunteer for various organizations, activities, and community projects, after retirement.

Irene was a child of God since the age of 11 and was always an active member of her neighborhood church, near where she was living. Her most favorite book to read was the Holy Bible. She was a good and faithful servant to the Lord, whether at church as a Deaconess, Choir Member, Sunday School Teacher, Kids Club Leader, VBS teacher, or Divorce Care Teacher. She was always sharing her faith, to whomever she could minister.

She loved her children and grandchildren very much and was so happy when surrounded by them all. She also had a love for animals and there was always a dog or cat on her lap or by her side. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, sewing, nature watching, reading, and especially singing. She was a member of the Master Chorale, Harmony Circle, and the Sweet Adeline’s: Windsong Chorus, traveling to many singing competitions and performances.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna Shinpaugh of Sturgis, SD, Angela Gomez of Aurora, CO, and Jennifer (Chris) Ambrosio of Fort Collins, CO; Granddaughter Kayla Mason; Grandsons Ian Mason of Loveland, CO and Jackson Fiddy of Aurora, CO; Great-Grandson Timothy Lukus Harms; Brothers Douglas Miller of Ruther Glen, VA and Larry Garman of Denver, CO; Nieces and nephews: Evalyn Liss, Linda Johnson, Lonnie Rein, Pamela Miller, Daniel Miller, Janice Liddle, and Jonathan Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings James Garman, Thelma Polly, Harold Garman, Norma Rein and Sharyn Crawford. Sending a very special Thank You to S&S Memory Care Assisted Living and Bristol Hospice-Denver, for loving, taking care and ensuring a peaceful passing for our Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt and friend to many.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Irene to The Gideons International, Shriners Children’s Hospital, St Jude Children’s Research Foundation, or your local Animal Shelter.