Colleen Hitchcock

Colleen Margaret McGarvey was born March, 17 1933, on a small farm in Bismarck, North Dakota to parents Bess (Smith) and James McGarvey. In 1945 the family moved to Idaho Springs, Colorado for work. A few years later, in 1949 the family moved to Leadville because their stepdad, Doug Rice got a job in the mines there. Once the mines started closing, the family settled in Golden. In 1953 she welcomed her son, Bill Ketchem. She traveled to Alaska, Germany and other parts of Europe before coming back to Denver, where she worked as a waitress at the Pig 'N' Whistle on Colfax. Not long after she began working there, she met her future husband, Walt Hitchcock, who was taking a training class at Lowry AFB. The pair married in 1965, and then were stationed at the Clinton Sherman AFB in Oklahoma for a brief time. Later that year they welcomed their daughter Janice. For work Colleen owned a beauty salon in Denver for a few years, before opening a shop in her home. She retired early to take on the role of stay-at-home mom for Bill and Janice. Colleen jumped right into the lifestyle and was an expert at getting the family ready for boating and camping trips, snowmobiling, and family get togethers. Taking care of her family was the most important thing to her, and something she prided herself in. Her love was extended far beyond just her own children and grandchildren, being the last surviving sibling of 5, Colleen was always ready to jump in and help with anything anyone in the family needed. Another important role she held during this time, was being a grandmother to Bill, Marc, and Julie. Later in life, she would happily accept this role once again, for Amanda and Katy. Another great accomplishment for her was becoming a great grandma to Cameron, Julia, Nico, and Lu. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Janice Oetken (Jay), Granddaughters Amanda Baccarella (Anthony),and Katy Day (Jordan), Grandsons Bill Ketchem (Jeraine), Marc Ketchem (Nicole), Great grandchildren Nico, Lulu, Cameron and Julia, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Walt Hitchcock, parents Bess Rice and James McGarvey, stepdad Doug Rice, son William Ketchem, granddaughters Julie and Paula, and siblings, Marge McGarvey, Cathleen Moore, Mary Ellen Paulson, and James McGarvey.

Memorial service and reception will be held on May 21st, 2pm at Olinger Cemetery, 10201 North Grant Street.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Hitchcock family.