Dorene Evelyn Hunt

She was born on March 6, 1937, at 4 A.M. on a cold, snowy morning in Denver when her father couldn't get the Ford started to take her mother to the hospital. Her aunt had thoughtfully suggested combining her own first name, Dorothy, with her mother's name, Verlene. Her mother chose this beautiful combination, creating the name "Dorene Evelyn Provo" that would define her identity for life.

Dorene was preceded in death by her two sons, David Lee Humphrey and Ronald Jay Humphrey, and her brother Dale Provo.

She was married to Leonard Humphrey for 23 years, with whom she had three children: David Lee, Karen Sue, and Ronald Jay. Later in life, she met Jim B Hunt, and they married in 2001. Jim was a wonderful man who treated Dorene with genuine care and respect. Though their time together was cut short when Jim passed away on December 20, 2005, from emphysema, those years were filled with joy and meaningful moments shared with family. Dorene cherished the memories of good times going to the Elks and VFW clubs with Jim and his friends, of family reunions in Fairbanks, Alaska, and of the everyday moments that made their life together special.

Dorene is survived by her daughter Karen (Ted) McCartney of Chandler, Arizona; her grandson Alexander J McCartney of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and her grandson Jeffrey L (Mindy S) McCartney, along with their two daughters, Betty S and Moira J McCartney, all of Mesa, Arizona.

The essence of Dorene's life was family and pets. She had a gift for adaptation and a genuine warmth that drew people to her. Dorene loved the outdoors—gardening, hiking, swimming, and soaking in the sunshine. She enjoyed dancing and roller skating, and found pleasure in collecting nick-nacks and listening to books on tape. In her later years, she found contentment in quiet moments and the company of good friends, sharing evening ice cream with those she loved.

What defined Dorene most deeply was her thoughtful approach to life. At 42, she wrote in her journal: "Everybody needs a goal in life... I believe there is alot for a person to achieve." By her final years, she had discovered a peaceful contentment: "My life is very quiet now, not going out with anybody, don't really want to, enjoy life by myself and Fred." (Fred was her beloved basset hound.)

Dorene had an uncommon ability to be both deeply connected to others and comfortably at peace with solitude. She valued friendships with genuine warmth, cared enough to visit people she loved in distant places, and remembered the important dates in her family's lives. Those who knew her will remember her kindness delivered in a sweet, quiet manner. She was a woman who lived with intention, who thought about her choices, and who was brave enough to start over more than once. She loved with her whole heart—whether it was her family, her pets, or the simple joys of a beautiful day.

Cremation has been arranged through Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona 85248, on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Her ashes will be interred at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80231, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Jim on March 10, 2026 at 11:00 am.