Virginia Ellen Horvat

Virginia “Jeannie” Ellen Horvat

Virginia (Jeannie) Ellen Horvat, 89, of Broomfield, Colorado, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, surrounded by her children. She was born July 11, 1936, in Denver, Colorado, to John Thomas Neavill and Martha Esther (Hastie) Neavill and was the youngest of seven children. Jeannie attended Holy Rosary Catholic Grade School and St. Francis Catholic High School.

In 1954, Jeannie met the love of her life, Edmund Horvat, on a blind date. It wasn’t until after Ed’s service in the Army that they were married on July 11, 1959, at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church in Denver. They settled in northwest Denver, where they raised their six children.

Jeannie was a tireless volunteer at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish and Holy Family Catholic High School. She also worked in retail for many years and at Regis University until her retirement in 2001. She was a founding member of the Archdiocese of Denver’s Blessed Virgin Mary Circle, where they supported numerous efforts for children and Catholic causes. She was involved in many different groups throughout her life and had friendships that spanned decades, including her high school “potluck” friends. She cherished those relationships dearly, making sure to reach out to people up until her last days.

Her hobbies included making rosaries for the Church, refinishing furniture, sewing, gardening, baking, and keeping up with all of her family and friends. Plus, she made a mean green chili! She was a lifelong learner, always reading books, researching a new topic, or watching documentaries. She had a love for music, from classical to modern hits, and would beam when dancing with Ed at the many weddings they attended throughout their marriage.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her husband, Edmund Horvat, her parents, and her siblings Patricia Rethmeier (Dean), Jack Neavill (JoAnne), Mary Sands (Jack), Kay Reddick (John), Fran Rovlenchik, and Jim Neavill.

Survivors include her children, Julie Grady (Frank) of Broomfield, Andy Horvat (Angela) of Hayden, ID, Mary Jo Horvat Guarrero of Broomfield, Francine McGee (John) of Manitou Springs, Katie Culp (Jon) of Broomfield, and Christine Jachetta (Frank) of Broomfield, sisters-in-law Barbara Neavill (Jim) of Fargo, ND, and Grace Horvat (Jim) of Denver, grandchildren Jim Grady, Pat Grady (Jessica), Father Joseph Grady, Jeff Horvat (Chloe West), Ashley Hildreth (Jace), Alex Guarrero, Cooper Johnson, Meghan Marsh (Nick), Danny McGee, Zach McGee, Jack Culp, Charli Culp, Wyatt Jachetta, Lauren Jachetta, great-grandchildren Maddie and Clare Grady, numerous nieces and nephews, and so many friends, including her life-long childhood friend Patricia Tobin.

A Catholic mass will be held for Jeannie on Friday, May 29th, at Nativity of Our Lord Church in Broomfield, 900 W. Midway Blvd. Visitation 11:00 am–11:30am, Rosary 11:30 am–11:45 pm, Eulogy 11:45-12:00pm, Mass begins at 12:00 pm with a reception to follow. Internment, Monday, June 1st, 11:00 am, Fort Logan Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236

Donations can be made in Jeannie’s honor to Birthline of Colorado, 1244 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Suite B, Lakewood, CO 80226 or Mount Saint Vincent Home, 4159 Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO 80211.