Riley I Whitelaw

Riley Whitelaw, 17, of Colorado Springs passed away on June 11, 2022. She was born January 20, 2005 in Colorado Springs and was a student at Air Academy High School. Riley is bigger than any obituary can encompass, with a smile that drew in every person that she encountered.

From a very young age, she was wise beyond her years and could easily fit in a room of adults carrying on conversations or kick back with her friends making goofy videos. A common theme throughout her short but rich life was that she had empathy, patience and compassion towards those around her. She allowed others to be seen, heard or recognized. If you were having a bad day, she had the innate ability to lift you up.

She was dedicated, persistent and passionate about everything she endeavored to try. If she was trying something new, she would fully commit without hesitation. Riley was a quiet leader amongst her peers and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those around her. Her passions were artistic in nature, as she loved to draw or paint canvases as well as jam on a guitar. Her art was recognized throughout her life and won many school and local awards. She not only had straight A’s throughout her time at Air Academy, but was a member of AAHS Colorguard, worked part-time, and had just began volunteering at the Humane Society and found time to pet sit.

Riley inspired others through her art, eclectic taste in music and shining personality. Riley will be profoundly missed by her Mother, Courtenay Whitelaw and Courtenay’s significant other of six years Chris Johnson, her grandparents; Robert Whitelaw and Pamela Laws, David and Amy Wolkin, her aunt, Kelly Whitelaw, her beloved dog Judy, the rest of her extended family, and her Air Academy High School family.

A funeral service will be held at the Woodmen Valley Chapel on Thursday June 23, 2022 at 11:00am.

There has been a gofundme account started to establish a scholarship in honor of Riley at https://gofund.me/a04f6bea