Irene Fortney

Irene Joanne Fortney, 75 Years old, passed from this earth on December 11, 2019, following a long battle with cancer. She was the oldest of fraternal twin sisters born March 30, 1944 in Minturn, Colorado to the late Eddie Allen and Nellie Catherine (Miller) Short.  Known to her friends as Joanne, she grew up in Whitewater and the Redlands area of Grand Junction, Colorado and attended schools there.  She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1962.  After graduation she was married to Keith Fortney and they moved to California for some years before coming back to Colorado.

Joanne had been employed as a Medical Office Assistant most of her career years.  Always a hard worker, she  also worked as a river raft guide, as a certified mixologist, held a certificate in drug and alcohol counseling , and at one time owned a clothing store called “Second Hand Rose”.

Although she was an avid reader, she also loved the outdoors.  Many hours of her life were spent swimming, river rafting, water skiing and sky diving as well as other outdoor activities.  She enjoyed planting flowers and working in her yard.

It was hard for Joanne to be lonely as part of a family with seven children, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and too many friends to mention.   Through the years she became very spiritual from dealing with the many trials and tribulations each person encounters as they travel through life.  She was blessed with empathy for others as well as a gift to be a good listener and life counselor.  JoAnn had many good and close friends through the years, some even since grade school.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister, Ilene June Lahe, her older sister, Patricia Jean Ludeman, and her two brothers, Dale Allen Short and Charles James Short.   She is survived by her only daughter, Pamela June Fortney of Montrose, CO, her two younger sisters, Alice Catherine (Felton) Corbett, Magnolia, TX, and Donna Mae (Roscoe) Heyman, Menard, TX, her first husband, Keith Fortney, plus numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services were delayed but now will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021.  She will be interred close to her twin sister,  Ilene June, and brother-in-law, Charles Lahe.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM in the Whitewater Cemetery followed by a lunch for close family and friends at the Grande Vista Hotel at 12:00 noon