Jessica Wells

Jessica Ann Wells (née Creslawa Winiarski), 90, was surrounded by the love of her family when she took her last breath in the early morning hours on December 21st, which turned into a warm winter’s day that her artistic soul would have appreciated.

Jessie was born on August 16th, 1933, to Joseph and Sophia Winiarski in Cleveland, Ohio and was their only child to survive infancy. She spent four years as a young child in the hospital due to a TB diagnosis, but it was never a hindrance to do the things she loved to do throughout her life. Jessica graduated from Willoughby High School, married Don Wells, and moved to Marietta, Ohio. She graduated with a B.S. in Business from Marietta College. They spent time in Montréal and Denver before moving to Fort Collins in 1962. Don and Jessica divorced in 1974.

Jessica was a homemaker and then worked for Colorado State University for 27 years. She spent many happy years traveling Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean with her longtime companion, Brooke Jacobsen, who preceded her in death in 2022. She enjoyed line dancing, oil painting, cooking, playing bridge, and all her many animals. Gardening was her passion, but her family was always her greatest love.

Jessica leaves behind her three children, Christopher Wells (Barbara) of Fort Collins and Belize, Peter Wells (Jennifer) of Littleton, Julie DeSena (Paul) of Fort Collins, and three grandchildren, Whitney Wells of Fort Collins, Sydney Wells of Fort Collins, and Geoffrey DeSena (Ashley) of Sweden and Colorado Springs. Here are a few special memories from her family:

“My mother was an artist, a traveler and a dancer.

My mother was warm, kind and generous.

My mother was a master gardener.

My mother has passed, and our family is much smaller without her.

I liked calling my mother Jess, but she was always my mother.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of our bereavement and leave only the cherished memory of the loved and lost. Abraham Lincoln” - Peter

“Jessica was the mother I never had as a child. She was loving, accepting me for who I was, emotionally available, understanding, open to discussion. Eternal rest grant unto Jessica, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen. Grief is love with no place to go. The best way to honor Jessica is to live our lives fully in her place. I plan to do this!” - Jennifer

“Hi Hun, was always the way she greeted me, whether it was walking in the front door that creaked, and was never locked, and always warm and welcoming (with Lay’s potato chips), or calling on the phone to check in.” - Julie

“I had the incredible opportunity to retire in 2021 and become mom’s Hoke Carlson (look him up!). Oh, the days and times we spent together the last couple years were some of the most special of my life!” - Paul

“Grandma was perhaps the only person with whom I could have a heated political debate only to be interrupted by the insistence that I take another cookie.” - Geoff

“Jess led her family by example. Her glass was always half full, she greeted hardship with humor, and she made it very difficult to leave her house hungry.” - Ashley

We will hold a small celebration in the spring at her house, including country music and food. In lieu of sending gifts or cards, please plant an extra flower in your garden this year. She would love that.

~~~

nine decades an artist

admiring the beauty in every flower

all the paintings are finished -