Laura Jean Jaramillo

Laura Jean Jaramillo, 66, passed away on May 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on March 1, 1960, at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and grew up in Denver's Swansea neighborhood, a community that remained close to her heart throughout her life.

Laura leaves behind her beloved husband, Alvin; her children, Jerid, Jeremy (Tiffany), Joseph (Makayla), and Aleshia; and her six beloved grandchildren, Andrue, Andrea, Gabriel, Desiree, Rozlyn, and Jaxon. She is also survived by her sisters, DeAnna, Cindy, and Jolene, as well as her chosen sister, LouAnn. Her family was the center of her world, and she devoted her life to loving, protecting, and supporting them.

For more than 30 years, Laura proudly worked for Denver Public Schools as a school bus driver. She loved children and found great purpose in safely transporting generations of students. While she was known for being strict when she needed to be, she was equally known for her kindness, compassion, and genuine care for those around her. Throughout her career, she formed many lifelong friendships and received various awards recognizing her dedication, excellence, and years of service.

A devoted Catholic, Laura lived her faith through both words and actions. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered for more than ten years teaching Catechism at Presentation of Our Lady. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life and guided the way she cared for her family, friends, and community.

Nothing brought Laura more joy than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Whether she was helping with homework, relaxing by the backyard pool, celebrating birthdays, attending sporting events, or simply enjoying each other's company, she savored every moment spent together. She loved hosting family gatherings, and many of her happiest memories were made around a house full of family during Sunday Broncos games.

Laura was a woman of many passions and traditions. One of her favorite traditions was canning green chile each summer with Alvin and her children. What started with trips to Pueblo and Lulu's Farm eventually led to a favorite chile stand at Florida and Stuart, where she discovered her favorite blend of Fresno and Dynamite chile that had the perfect flavor and just the right amount of spice. The process often took an entire weekend, but to Laura, it was never just about making chile—it was about family, laughter, and preserving traditions.

She also loved to travel and explore the world. Over the years, she enjoyed cruises through the Caribbean and Alaska, traveled across the Southwest on countless road trips to Arizona and New Mexico, and even journeyed all the way to Africa. She embraced every adventure with excitement and curiosity, creating memories with those she loved.

Laura especially loved eating piñons and spent many trips gathering them by hand. Anyone who has ever picked piñons knows the long hours and hard work involved, but Laura never minded. For her, the experience was about much more than the harvest. It was about being outdoors, spending time with loved ones, and continuing traditions that connected generations of family.

Laura also loved spending time camping with her family. Some of her happiest memories were made around campfires, sharing meals, telling stories, and enjoying the outdoors with those she loved most. She especially enjoyed family trips that included boating and jet skiing, embracing every opportunity for adventure and laughter on the water. Whether at a campsite, on a boat, or gathered with family under the open sky, Laura found great joy in these moments together and the lasting memories they created.

She had a remarkable talent for making things grow. Her green thumb was evident in the lush plants that filled her home and the garden she lovingly tended every summer. She could often be found outside planting, pulling weeds, and scolding the grasshoppers that seemed determined to enjoy her garden before she could. One of her proudest recent accomplishments was successfully growing a baby watermelon, something that brought her tremendous joy.

Laura also had a deep love for animals. Throughout her life she welcomed many pets into her home, but her beloved Yorkie, Niya, held a special place in her heart. Laura devoted herself to caring for and training her, and Niya returned that love with fierce loyalty and protectiveness.

She loved looking her best and took pride in her appearance. Whether she was heading to church, attending a family gathering, or simply going out for the day, her hair and makeup were always perfectly done. Laura had a wonderful sense of style and a gift for coordinating outfits and accessories. She especially loved gold jewelry and was rarely seen without her favorite rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Her beauty, confidence, and radiant smile earned compliments wherever she went. To those who knew and loved her, she was truly stunning inside and out.

Those who knew Laura will remember her as strong-willed, loving, kind, fiercely protective, and unapologetically honest. She spoke her mind without hesitation and stood up for the people she loved. If she cared about you, she would do anything for you. She had a way of making people feel protected, supported, and welcome.

Her family will forever remember her warm smile, warm embrace, and unforgettable personality. If you happened to be standing closest to her when she suddenly remembered something or became excited, there was a good chance you would receive one of her playful smacks. And if someone made a rude comment, she would not hesitate to throw a shoe—or whatever happened to be within reach—in their direction. These moments of humor and love are memories her family will hold dear forever.

Above all else, Laura was the heart of her family. She brought people together, celebrated life's moments both big and small, and made everyone feel at home. Her life was defined by faith, family, friendship, hard work, compassion, resilience, and unconditional love.

Her legacy of love, strength, and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Laura Jean Jaramillo will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

A Memorial Service will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Parish, 2190 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80219, US, on June 26, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.