Vonna Lily Parsons, age 60

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Vonna Lily Parsons, age 60, passed away on July 14, 2003 at home. She was born March 19, 1943, to Fred and Loraine Hector in Denver, Colo. She was raised in La Veta, Colo. where she attended La Vita High School. After her graduation she worked for about two years and eventually married Larry Parsons at the Stonewall Community Church on October 12, 1962.

Vonna attended Colorado State University for two years until Larry graduated from engineering school. Vonna's major in college was home economics and her major focus in life was to make a comfortable, efficient and loving home for her family. She did work outside the home for a number of years as a receptionist, office manager for several companies in Washington, D.C., Maryland, North Dakota, San Luis Valley and Weston, where she was a Post Office clerk for several years. She served as the manager of the San Luis Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross until she and Larry moved to Weston in 1994. She was a CPR/First Aid Instructor, Disaster Instructor and volunteered time to assist members of the Armed Forces. She and Larry provided Red Cross Services to the Las Animas County area from 1994 until the Spanish Peaks Branch was formed in September 11, 1999, and as one of the individuals who organized the Branch served on the Council in a leadership position until her untimely death. She served as volunteer for the Red Cross for 20 years during that time witnessing many changes in the organization.

Vonna also volunteered her time for the Stonewall Fire Department and served as secretary and president during the growth years of the Department until formation of the Fire Protection District. Vonna was active in the North Side Water Association, an organization formed to upgrade water supplies to Weston homes on the north side of the river. She also was instrumental in obtaining the signatures on a petition to DOT to improve highway 12 east of Primero School. She was a member of Cowbells where she served as secretary. She maintained her membership in Beta Sigma Phi for 40 years even though she was not active. Vonna's smile, her warm attitude toward people, her giving nature and her honesty was appreciated by all she met and worked with. She will be missed, but carried in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Shawn Lawrence Parsons and brother Loren Hector. She is survived by her husband, Larry of the family home, daughter Lonetta Parsons of La Veta, adopted daughter Karen Giardunio of Longmont, nephew Rusty Joe (Teresa) Hector of Pagosa Springs, grandnephew Russell Benjamin Hector, grandniece Raley Hector and many other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mullare-Murphy Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Dave Cook will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Red Cross/Spanish Peaks Branch or Stonewall Fire Department Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

The family of Vonna Lily Parsons has entrusted the arrangements to the Mullare-Murphy Funeral Home.