Caryl L. Travnick

Caryl Lenore (Lee) Travnick, “Grammy” to her family, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, April 12th, 2025. Lee was 90 years young and still living in her long-time home in Fort Collins, CO when she passed from natural causes. The good Lord has called her home. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 18th, 1934, during the middle of the Great Depression, Lee had an exciting childhood as she, her older brother (Charles M. Ross, Jr.), and her mother (Jaunita L. Ross, “Mammaw”), accompanied her father (Charles M. Ross, “Pappaw”), a decorated World War I combat veteran and trained geologist, all across the Midwest and western United States exploring for oil reserves for Amerada Hess Corporation (now Hess Oil). Lee’s family permanently settled in Tulsa when she and her brother attended school at Lanier Jr. High and Will Rogers High School. Tulsa held a very special place in her heart, as it does to all of her family to this day. Lee attended Tulsa University (TU) where she met the love of her life, William (Bill) E. Travnick (“Grampy”). Bill was from Chicago, Illinois and was recruited to play football at TU for the Golden Hurricanes. It was a storybook romance. Love at first sight. Bill was the football team captain and Lee was the Homecoming Queen. They were married on January 22, 1955, and were inseparable for the next 61 years until Bill’s passing on November 9th, 2016. Together, Lee and Bill raised four children (Terri L. Anderson (Steve), William R. (Deb), James C. and Thomas J.) as they moved about the country following Bill’s work (sound familiar?). Together, they made loving homes in Tulsa; Doraville, GA; Yorktown Heights, NY; Rockford, IL; Wausau, WI; Novato, CA and Great Falls, VA, and eventually retiring in Fort Collins. Lee was a very involved mom throughout the years she was raising her children. She was a school volunteer, a field trip chaperone, a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and a loyal fan at too many wrestling matches, baseball and football games to count. Lee also had a wonderful career after the children were older as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Association. The household never was without a special pet, or multiple pets, including beloved dogs, cats, and even guinea pigs, rabbits and gerbils. Lee truly had a wonderful life and she was the first one to tell you that. Lee had the joy of life-long friends and neighbors from all the places they lived. She looked forward to spending time with her dear friends from book club, Mexican Train, and water aerobics in Fort Collins. Lee is survived by their daughter Terri (Steve), son William (Deb), 8 grandchildren (Elizabeth, Danielle, Will, Kaylee, Melissa (Minas), Megan (Beau), Dane (Ashley) and Paige (John), and 13 great-grandchildren (Waylon, Colton, Dylan, Layton, Karyn, Malryk, Savannah, Brooks, Hudson, Ella, Jace, Bennett and Sophie). Lee is also survived by her nieces, Cheryl Westfall (Chris) and Cindy Ross and her nephews Brian Ross (Tiffany) and Scott Travnick (Judy) and their families. Lee was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sons, Jim and Tom Travnick; as well as her husband, Bill Travnick. Services for Lee will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Parish (300 W. Mountain Street) in Fort Collins on May 1st, 2025, at 9:30AM. A lunch reception will follow in the church’s Meridith Hall. Lee’s final internment at Grandview Cemetery (1900 W. Mountain Ave, Fort Collins), next to her beloved husband and sons, will immediately follow the reception. Goes Funeral Home will be handling services. Lee’s favorite color was blue, so feel free to wear anything blue if you choose. The Travnick and Anderson families express our sincere gratitude to all the friends, caregivers and medical professionals who helped make Lee’s last days comfortable and peaceful. Prayers and good wishes are what Lee would appreciate so much, but if you wish to send flowers, please send to St. Joseph Catholic Parish. Donations may be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Parish, St. Jude Research Hospital or Colorado Talking Book Library.

Caryl L. Travnick

April 12, 2025