Irene Hightchew-Hutchison

July 21, 1942 ~ February 26, 2015 Irene Hightchew - Hutchison died in Denver, Colorado on February 26, 2015.  Irene was 72. Irene  was born July 21, 1942 in Mancos, Colorado to her parents, Lester and Lillian Hightchew.  She was the 4th of four children. Irene attended school in Mancos, Colorado and graduated in 1960 with a Citizenship Award and a scholarship to Barnes Business School.  While in high school Irene was very active as a cheerleader, majorette, choir member, school newspaper, class favorite, and held various offices in her class. After graduation Irene moved to Dallas, Texas before returning to Mancos, Colorado where she met and married Lloyd Wallace of Dolores, Colorado.  Irene and Lloyd moved to British Columbia, Canada where they owned the historic Sky Ranch. Upon returning to the United States Irene worked for Mountain Bell in Durango, Colorado and Grand Junction, Colorado.  After leaving Mountain Bell Irene went to work for City Market in Montrose, Colorado and she continued to work for the company for the next 25 years in several Colorado and Wyoming communities and holding various positions in the company.  Irene retired from City Market in 1998 as a District Manager.  Irene was most proud that she helped open the door for women in management in her field and for those in the company that she helped advance their careers. After retiring Irene bought a motorhome and took to the road for 8 years.  She always said she was a gypsy and regretfully hung up her motorhome keys due to health reasons but she always had a yearning to get back on the road. Irene leaves two daughters, Melinda Venegas and Crystal Seybold, four grandsons Lance Vollrath, Garrett Vollrath, Dylan Seybold, and Joseph Venegas, two granddaughters Abigail Venegas and Stella Radich, and a great granddaughter Hayden Vollrath.  She is also survived by her brothers William Hightchew and Robert Hightchew.  Irene is preceded in death by her son Michael Wallace, her parents Lester and Lillian Hightchew, and her sister Esther Hightchew. A memorial service will take place during the summer of 2015 in her hometown of Mancos, Colorado.  Irene requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to a hospice center of your choosing or the hospice center that took care of her in her final days Collier Hospice Center at http://www.lutheranmedicalcenter.org/services-and-departments/hospice/  or to the American Liver Foundation Rocky Mountain Division at http://www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/rockymountain/ .