Lisa Marie Bilger
Canon City Daily Record, 7/16/11, pg A2

Lisa Marie Bilger, 53, of Cañon City, passed away July 14, 2011, in Pueblo. 

She was born Aug. 10, 1957, in Gloversville, N.Y., to Victor and Noreen (Lyon) Passino.  Lisa moved from Sweden to Cañon City, where she has lived since 2000.   She was the director of Spin Preschool. 

Lisa loved Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.  She was involved with fundraisers for the Fremont Civic Center and was treasurer of Fremont Association.  She loved game night with her friends. She was a proud teacher, grandmother and loving sister and daughter. 

She is survived by one daughter, Amy (Chris) Doucette of Scotia, N.Y.; father, Victor (Diana) Passino of Ocklawaha, Fla.; granddaughter Isabella Doucette;  nine siblings, Michael Passino, Mitchell Passino, Mark Passino, John Zajaceskowski, Vickie Hill, Valorie Snell, Holly Jennings, Audry Tesiro and Sherrie Cevera; companion Lyle Knisley; and special friends Vonnie, Melitta and Diane.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Noreen.  Memorial Services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Holt Chapel of the Garden, 806 Macon Ave., Cañon City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made to Spin Preschool through the funeral home office. 

Arrangements handled through Holt Family Funeral Home. Online condolences @ www.holtfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Lisa with some of her SPIN co-workers. Left to right: Misty Atkins, Michelle Tenhaile,
Angie Reno, Lisa Bilger, Mary Prins, Victoria Ortega, Vonnie McBeth.

Patrick Thompson
11/23/10

Patrick Thompson, a Denver host home consumer, passed away on November 23, 2010 after a short struggle with pneumonia. He was born on July 25, 1967. Patrick lived in the host home of Jackie and Gary Youngquist in Arvada and attended the Community Advantage day program in Denver.

Patrick was best known for his dislike of anything on his feet and those who knew him did not think it was odd when Patrick was seen outdoors in winter without shoes or socks. Patrick also enjoyed spending time at home and at day program scooting around the floor to investigate things on his own.

Everyone at Starpoint in Denver would like to express their gratitude to the Youngquists for the wonderful job they did while they had Patrick living with them in their home. Gary and Jackie were instrumental in teaching Patrick how to use what skills he had to communicate his needs and wants to them which was a major accomplishment for Patrick.

Thomas Richard Hansen
Canon City Daily Record, 8/19/09

Thomas Richard Hansen, 60, died peacefully in his Cañon City home early Saturday, August 15, 2009. Born Nov. 19, 1948, to Joseph and Ruth Hansen in Gilroy, CA. Tom had lived in Cañon City for 20 years, the last 18 years in Washington House, a residential care facility operated by Starpoint.

His caregivers at Washington House provided a comfortable life for Tom, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a California motorcycle accident in 1968. Tom recovered some of his physical capabilities following the accident, but he remained unable to care for himself.

He lived for several years with his sister/guardian, Bonnie Hawkins, in Oregon, Illinois and Colorado.

He is survived by sisters, Bonnie (John) of Salem, OR, and Linda (Scott) Jordan of Aptos, CA; step-brother, Chris (Janis) Bohner of McHenry, IL; an aunt and uncle, and several cousins and nephews.

Tom enjoyed watching television and listening to 1960s rock ‘n roll music. He loved to count and to sing along to his favorite tunes. Prior to his accident, he was a handsome, energetic teenager with a playful and adventurous spirit.

No funeral service will be held. Contributions in his name may be made to Starpoint Foundation [donate online] at 700 S. 8th Street, Cañon City, CO 81212, in care of Bonnie Stumph.

Arrangements handled through Holt Family Funeral Home.

Daisy Ornelas

Daisy Ornelas, 52, passed away July 31, 2009, in Pueblo.

Daisy was born on August 20, 1956. She lived in Colorado all her life.  Daisy was a gentle soul who loved to travel.  She enjoyed visiting with people, walking outdoors and swinging.

Daisy loved to yarn and the many colors it came in.  She had a way of charming all who knew her.  Daisy will be missed b y everyone at Starpoint who cared for her, especially Tom and Lucy Cole who were her caregivers.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11a.m. Thursday, Aug 6, 2009, at Centennial Park in Canon City.  Arrangements handled through Holt Family Funeral Home.

Donald E Brown (Hawley)
Canon City Daily Record, 5/19/09

Donald E Brown (Hawley), age 64, went to fish with his Lord May 9, 2009. Born February 20, 1945, in Gunnison, CO. to Vivian (Vernon) Hawley and Jesse Brown. Survived by his soulmate and fishing buddy, his precious wife Gale I. Johnson-Brown.

Don was raised in Brookside and lived in Cañon City most of his life.

Don was much loved by his D.O. consumers [Note: D.O. is an acronym for Developmental Opportunities, which was Starpoint 1989 - 2004].

Don is also survived by sisters Adeline Bright and Thelma (Jim) Everhart; brother Vernon (Sally) Hawley; ex-wife Teresa; children Janice, Dee Dee (Paul) David, Georgia (Howard), Ginger (Bill), Gail (Glenn), Gerri (Donovan); grandchildren Jade, Josh, Danielle, Nicholas, Michelle (Mike), Misty (Jerry), Justin (Brook), John (Wanda), Katherine, Shawn (Laura), Brandon (Amanda), Kristin, Corrine, John V, Tawnya, Glenn Jr., Sarah (Doron); 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jim and Billy; and sister Dora. Also by his precious grandson Collin.

In lieu of flowers, send contributions to Starpoint.

Michele Lee Craig
Salida Mountain Mail, 5/8/09

Michele Lee Craig, 38, died May 5, 2009, at St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo.

She was born Aug. 28, 1970, in Pender, Neb., to Brad and Janet Craig and was 1 year old when she moved to Poncha Springs with her parents.

Ms. Craig graduated from Salida High School in 1990 through the special education program. She worked for Lund Eye Care and NAPA Auto Parts of Salida and Buena Vista for many years.

She enjoyed music, playing cards, Big Red Football, fishing and visiting with her many family members and friends. She was unique because she would always rather give than receive.

Survivors include her parents; grandparents, Phyllis Breitbarth of West Point, Neb., and Donald Craig of Salida; aunts, Nancy (Butch) Suhr, Karen (Ron) Westerhold of Pender, Neb., and Paula (Don) Bullington of Salida and numerous great-aunts and uncles and cousins.

Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Esther Craig of Salida and Emery Breitbarth of West Point.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. May 9, 2009, at Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida with a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Salida.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to Support Our Schools Salida, with a memo line notation to special education, through Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.

Donate online to Starpoint Foundation In Memory of Michele Lee Craig.

Patrecia Carol Lorentz
Daily Record, pg. 2, 1/28/09

Patrecia Carol Lorentz 54, passed away Jan. 25, 2009, at University Park Care Center in Pueblo.

Patrecia was born on Aug. 16, 1954, in Wichita Falls, TX, to James and Martha (Brawley) Barber. In 1994, she graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA in Anthropology.

During 2001-2002, Patrecia was employed with Fremont County School District as a substitute teacher. She then worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for Starpoint in Cañon City.

Patrecia is survived by her daughter, Tandalyn Hover of Canon City; son, Michael Lorentz of Lakewood, CO; granddaughter, Katawana Hover of Cañon City; and one brother, Michael Barber of Moscow, ID.

She was preceded in death by her son, Craig Lorentz; and her parents.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at Holt Family Funeral Home. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at Holt Chapel of the Garden in Cañon City.

Memorial donations may be made in loving memory of Patrecia Lorentz and Craig Lorentz to the Starpoint Foundation at 700 S. Eighth St., Canon City, CO 81212 or donate now online. Arrangements handled through Holt Family Funeral Home.

Patrick Long
Salida Mountain Mail, pg. 2, 1/7/09

Patrick Long, 62, died Jan. 3, 2009, at Columbine Manor Care Center in Salida where he lived for the past 8 months.

He was born Nov. 12, 1946, in Washington, D.C., to Patrick and Jessie Long. At age 6, as was the wisdom of the day for people with Down's syndrome, he was placed in Belchertown State School in Belchertown, Mass.

He had a group of friends, liked to play harmonica and enjoyed occasional visits with his family.

In the 1970s, he lived in more homelike and independent settings and went to work through sheltered workshop programs at manufacturing plants. When family members moved to Nathrop he moved to Colorado.

Patrick was young at heart, had a pleasant personality and loved social occasions with friends and family. Loved ones said Patrick was a man who always believed in Santa Claus.

His sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Al Tafoya of Nathrop, survive.

A memorial service and reception will be held at Salida Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1201 E. U.S. 50, Salida, at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 2008.

Donations in his name may be made to Starpoint, 203 E. St., Salida, CO 81201 or donate now online, to allow clients to attend singing, dance or theatre lessons or events.

Contributions for flowers for the service may be made to The Golden Egg, 539-6917.