Annie Rose O'Connor

To speak of Annie’s life, you must start with her love of family, her vast “collections” of friends and her contagious positivity. You must also embrace her generosity, not only with her time, but with her unconditional love and her quick wit, always seasoned with amazing come-backs. Her family, her sense of humor, her ability to laugh, her abiding love of community and her genuine kindness being the hallmark of her long life.

Annie was the youngest of four children. She grew up in the mining town of Somerset, Colorado and on a farm in Hotchkiss. Her parents, Anton and Francis Kovacic, were Slovenian immigrants. Anton sent for Francis to join him in America. She arrived with her name pinned to her coat and together they built a life for Annie, her two sisters and her brother. They grew up speaking Slovenian and was immersed in the culture. It wasn’t until she started school that she learned English, but she remained fluent her whole life with her parents, siblings and life-long friends.

Annie learned to live simply with her roots cultivated in the Depression. She always shared wonderful stories of her childhood. Growing up with what may have been the bare essentials, she never felt any lack because she figured the whole world was in the same boat. After graduating from Paonia High School, she moved to Grand Junction, CO to attend business school. Her career consisted of 2 bookkeeping jobs. Her first at Biggs and Kurtz for 27 years and the second at Grand Valley Power for 30 years. Not surprisingly, she made many more (you guessed it) life-long friends. During her time at Biggs and Kurtz, she met her husband, Richard, and phase two of her life is set to begin.

Annie was a wonderful mother and always put her families needs before her own. She was a strong, loving example of motherhood. Even after the heartbreaking death of her daughter, she remained focused solely on the needs of her family all while navigating her own grief. She loved her parents who lived with her family until their deaths. She was close to her sisters and brother and loved their children dearly. She was thrilled to be a grandma and relished watching them grow to become parents to her two great grandchildren.

Annie was the kind of friend that everyone hopes for. In the loving care she showered on her friends that could no longer care for themselves. In the judgement free way she lovingly helped friends navigate hard times. In the laughter (and more laughter) she bestowed in the form of counsel. In her kindness and her optimistic view of the world. Annie saw goodness in everyone and saw everyone as God-created. How lucky are we who knew her? How lucky are we to have been loved by her?

Surviving in her amazing legacy is Chip O’Connor (Kris) and Lynn Rome (Eric). Grandkids are Matt and Celia O’Connor also Dylan (Zoe), Luke, and Jake (Stephanie plus Adelaide & John) Rome. Greeting her at the end of her journey is her husband, Richard and her daughter, Jane.

Services to be planned at a later date. For those wishing to express their sympathy please consider donating to Catholic Outreach or a favorite charity in Annie’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the O'Connor family. If you would like to make a memorial contribution please donate to a charity of your choice in Annie's name.