Donna Lafferty

Donna Joann Lafferty April 20, 1940-June 30, 2016 Donna Joann Lafferty, 76, died on June 30, 2016 at home Hospice following a sudden illness. She was born on April 20, 1940 in Merrell, Nebraska to Phillip and Esther Heinrich. She spent her childhood in Nebraska, Delta Colorado and Riverton Wyoming. When she moved to Grand Junction in 1959, she worked at the Elks Lodge, took in laundry and ironing, spent many years working with her husband John at his law practice, then was a medical secretary to the Chief of Staff at the VA Hospital. Donna volunteered many hours to the disabled veterans Ski Races in Aspen, several VA fundraisers, served as a HOA board member, and most recently as a volunteer for Hopewest Hospice. Donna won trophies for golf and bowling. She played the piano and a mean accordion, and was well traveled. She also loved to knit and crochet and every family member had the privilege of receiving one of her precious gifts. Donna was a quiet, hard worker and very generous. She spent the last few years taking care of her husband before he passed in 2015. In addition to her husband John, she was preceded in death by her dad, Phillip, her mom, Esther, sister Beverly, and stepdaughter Patricia. She is survived by daughters Toni (Jesse) Forrest, Joni (Kevin) McKelvey, son Daryll (Pam) Taylor all of Grand Junction, Son, Mike Lafferty of Duchesne, Utah. Stepdaughters, Barbara (Vinny) of Keene Valley, New York and Lisa Schenke of Denver, Colorado and sister Susan Johnson of Riverton, Wyoming. Donna had 11 Grandchildren one of which is Donna Smith of Fruita that helped take care of her grandmother for the past three months, and 8 great-grandchildren with one more on the way. Donna was unique and one of a kind and will be missed by her loving family and wonderful friends. Services are scheduled at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, CO at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. In lieu of flowers a donation to Hopewest Hospice would be appreciated.