Martin Mortuary
Frances "Irene" McLain, of Grand Junction, passed away on April 15, 2022 at HopeWest Hospice Care Center. She was 95.
Irene was born on October 29, 1926, in Leadville, Colorado, to March and Eila (Young) Crawford. She spent her childhood there, and graduated from Leadville High School in 1945. In the summer before her senior year, she began working as a maid at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. It was there that she met Conley "Mac" Dean McLain, and they were married on August 23, 1947 in Eagle, Colorado. While Mac worked in the oilfield, he and Irene moved around Montana, Utah, and various towns in Wyoming including Casper, before settling in Grand Junction where she spent the last 49 years. Irene volunteered with her cousin, Irene Kohler, at the Colorado Welcome Center in Fruita for 20 years. She loved sitting on her back patio playing Skipbo and other card games while watching and feeding the hummingbirds. She was also an avid reader and gardener, and enjoyed hiking, crocheting, and playing Scrabble.
Irene is survived by her son, Darrell (Char) McLain of Bradenton, Florida; granddaughters, Kathryn (Troy) Carter of Shoreline, Washington, Karen (John) Sargent of Lynnwood, Washington, Heather McLain and Laura (Toby) Thomas, both of Sarasota, Florida; and great-grandchildren, Atticus and Lelaina Carter of Shoreline, Washington, and Oliver and Logan Sargent of Lynnwood, Washington. She is preceded in death by her parents, March and Eila Crawford; husband, Conley Dean McLain; daughter, Donna Bradley; brother, Lyle Crawford; and sister, Iola Dell.
No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Irene's name to HopeWest Hospice 3090 N. 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506 or www.hopewestco.org.
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