Cheri Kinney Obituary

Former Durango resident Cheri Kincaid Kinney died after fighting an aggressive metastasized cancer Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Wheat Ridge. She was 58.

Mrs. Kinney was born to Ray and Mary Lou Kincaid on April 12, 1955, in Denver.

In 1978, she married Mark Slensker, and the couple had a daughter together before the marriage ended.

Until 1991, Mrs. Kinney lived in Denver, where she ran her own cleaning business.

On June 24, 1985, she married John Kinney at St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Lakewood.

In 1991, the Kinneys moved to Steamboat Springs, where Mrs. Kinney began her career in the tourism business. She worked for Steamboat Ski Resort on the mountain and for Central Reservations.

After the family moved to Durango in 1998, Mrs. Kinney continued working in the ski industry at Durango Mountain Resort for a couple of years. She was a meter reader for La Plata Electric Association and enjoyed her daily drives and walks in the hills, according to her family.

She missed being around people, so Mrs. Kinney began driving the Trolley, the Opportunity Bus and occasionally the Buzz Bus for the city of Durango.

Only the lure of her first grandchild could have enticed her back to the Denver area in 2011, her daughter Jennifer Slensker said. With a love of gardening and hiking, Mrs. Kinney was happiest spending free time in the mountains with family and in the presence of her granddaughter, LeighAnn Slensker.

"Known for her compassion and unconditional love, Cheri has touched many hearts over the years," according to her family. "Known for the saying, 'You're never fully dressed without a smile,' people were often uplifted whenever Cheri was around."

Mrs. Kinney was preceded in death by her former husband, Mark Slensker.

She is survived by her husband of 28 years, John Kinney of Littleton; children Jennifer Slensker of Henderson, Johnny Kinney of Littleton and Katelyn Kinney of Commerce City; mother, Mary Lou Fellet of Lakewood; siblings Michael Kincaid and Karen Radford, both of Littleton, James Kincaid of Superior, Scott Kincaid of Pueblo and Jim Fellet of Lakewood; one granddaughter; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Lakewood, 9200 W. 10th Ave. Her family asks people to wear bright and cheery colors to celebrate her life. Her ashes will be spread over the summer flowers in the San Juan Mountains.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Collier Hospice Center, c/o Lutheran Medical Center Foundation, 8300 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

Condolences may be sent to [email protected].