Jean Denny Trewartha

Jean Denny Trewartha died peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, August 2nd. Jean was born in Mamaroneck, New York on February 23rd, 1939 to Ursula (Garnett) and Jack Denny. At the age of seven Jean moved with her family from New York to Denver, Colorado. She spent the rest of her life mountainside in Colorado, raising her family, and becoming as big a Bronco fan as any Colorado native. 

Jean attended Colorado State University for one year before transferring to Kansas City school of Dentistry where she completed her certificate in dental hygiene. She worked as a dental hygienist for 30 years. 

Jean met her husband, Bill Trewartha, as one of his first podiatry patients in 1960. They were married in April 1962 and Jean became the mother of four children: Paul (Trewartha-Weiner), Katherine (Kosakowski), John (Trewartha), and Ann (Sandifer). As their children grew older they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Jean continued her career as a dental hygienist. Jean was a lifelong Girl Scout, starting as a child and continuing the legacy as troop leader for her own daughters. On command she could (and would) recite any Brownie song. 

She and Bill became heavily involved in their Catholic church community. Together, Jean and Bill committed themselves to a life of service. If there was an image used to define an open home, the one Jean and Bill built together was it. Their faith encouraged them to seek out those in need, and as often as they could, they found ways to support their local community. 

With Jean driving their efforts and Bill by her side, they sponsored nine refugees from Cambodia in 1979 and a Bosnian family of four in 1996, welcoming each of them not just to a new country, but into their family. Each and every one of their beneficiaries became American citizens, and successful in their own right. 

She and Bill were vital in building the community at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish in Fort Collins. Jean spent years working alongside Bill in the church becoming a true backbone of baptisms and marriage preparation. 

Jean was a wonderful mother, neighbor, and community pillar. There was rarely a moment she left her house without running into someone who knew her. Everyone she met she believed to be a blessing, and even if she could not recall their name, she could always remember how she knew them, who their mother was, and a slew of other important identifying factors. Everyone felt known and seen by Jeanie. Her bubbly personality and her ability to connect intentionally with anyone she met in her life is a legacy that she leaves behind. But the impact she has made on all who encountered her is one we are grateful to uphold. 

Jean leaves behind a universe of people she has touched, but her joyousness will continue to permeate her larger community. And of course, she leaves us all with an incredible mustard recipe, and the best chocolate hot fudge anyone has ever had. As we mourn, each of us is comforted in knowing that Jean has waited for this moment, to be reunited with the Holy Son and Heavenly Father, who she has spent much of her life in service to. Jean often described her positive energy and optimistic outlook as her ministry in this life. For those who knew her this is impossible to deny.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ursula and Jack Denny, her sister, Ursula Boatright (Denny), and her husband Bill Trewartha. She is survived by her four children Ann (and Eric Sandifer), John (and Stacey Trewartha), Katherine (and Kos Kosakowski), and Paul (and Karen Trewartha-Weiner). 

She is also survived by eleven fabulous grandchildren: Kiska (Carlos) Kosagamez, Allison (Andy Titterington), and Akadia Kosakowski; Nicholas (Mackenzie), Shawn, and Joshua Trewartha; Daniel and Elizabeth Trewartha-Weiner; Kathleen (Dom), Noah, and Addison Sandifer; four great grandchildren, Finnegan and Rowan Titterington, Victorina Kosagamez, Lucky Montoya, and two bonus great-grandchildren, Ethan, and Carlos Gamez. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will continue carrying her legacy of light, joy, and service in their own lives. Each of her wonderful descendants brought Jean immense pride and happiness. 

The Trewartha Family would like to extend a special thank you to the following people who were important in Jean's life: the parishioners of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the wonderful staff at Collinwood Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Ashley and Krista from her hospice team at Innovage. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, August 6th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to The Abbey of St. Walburga.