Luella Doronzo

Luella was born in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 1923 to Maurice and Luella (Opp) Forth and passed away October 27, 2021.

She is survived by daughter, LuAnn Eakins (Lakewood) and sister Margaret Hutchinson (Fort Collins). She was preceded in death by Ralph, husband of 74 years, and sons Paul and John.

Her mother died in child birth. Initially, she lived with her mother’s family because her father was working in the oil fields in Wyoming and that was not a place to raise a child.

When her father remarried to Ella Silliman she went to live with them. She grew up in East Denver, went to Ebert Elementary School, Gove Junior High, and graduated from Denver East High School.

Luella had a love of her faith and family. She also had a great love for Colorado and being a native. The family spent many summer vacations camping and fishing. Another of those special places was the family cabin near Bailey. Whether they would get away for a day on a weekend or an extended stay, she loved that cabin and its beautiful surroundings.

In the early years of their marriage, Ralph and Luella enjoyed many nights dancing to the big band music at Elitch Gardens Trocadero Ballroom, a favorite of Denver natives. They also enjoyed square dancing.

The young couple started their family with the birth of their daughter, LuAnn, followed closely by the birth of son, Paul and then John, 12 years later. They eventually established their home in southwest Denver, a home they lived in for 53 years before moving to Wind Crest Senior Living Community. Luella and Ralph were establishing members of Notre Dame Catholic Church.

Another passion that Ralph and Luella shared was traveling. They traveled extensively across the United States as well as across Canada and Mexico. They made several trips to Italy. They traveled throughout Europe and British Isles and to New Zealand and Australia as well. On Luella’s 70th birthday, she rode a camel in Australia. They went on several cruises including the Panama Canal, Alaska, and the northeast to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Luella loved life and took advantage of the best that life had to offer. Her strength of character never waivered in the face of life’s challenges and disappointments. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A Memorial Mass will be held for Luella on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 10:30am at Wind Crest Senior Living Community in the Red Rocks Room.

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