Loretta Ann Elliott Banister passed away on Jan. 21, 2022 in Ft. Collins, CO, at the age of 83. She was born Jan. 27, 1938 in Denver, CO. Loretta grew up in unincorporated Adams County on a family farm belonging to Marion and Dorothy Elliott, (her parents) and Joe and Clara Elliott (her paternal grandparents). She spent most of her early life at 6141 Fillmore St., Commerce City, CO. When she was 8 years old, her father expanded his farm business, to include the raising of carnations. It wasn’t long before he excelled at growing flowers and found this business to be much more lucrative than farming. He went on to become one of the most important leaders in the flower industry in Colorado and influenced his family to join in. This became Loretta’s calling. She spent her entire adult life as a gifted flower designer, owned Goff Floral, Banister’s World of Flowers and worked for Showers of Flowers, for a career spanning 40 years.
She attended Adams City High School, graduating in 1956, attended Colorado Women’s College, Metropolitan State College in Denver in art studies and FTD Floral Design School. She made her homes in Englewood, Lakewood, Conifer and Ft. Collins, CO. She survived her husband, Gerald Banister; her parents Dorothy and Marion (Sonny) Elliott. She is survived by her sister Judy Elliott Dunbar, her daughters, Deborah May Palermo Crosby of Central City, CO, Debbie’s son Lamar William Crosby of Aurora, CO and her great-granddaughter Ja’Liyah, of Greeley, CO. She is also survived by her other daughter, Gina Lynn Goff Montoya, of both Dallas, TX and Fort Lupton, CO; Gina’s son Andrew Michael White of Fort Collins, CO. She is also survived by Judy’s children, nephew Brian Dunbar of Brighton, CO; niece Rachelle, and spouse Edie Dunbar, of Brighton, CO and numerous, great nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
A memorial mass will be held on Feb. 22, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 3549 Navajo St., Denver, CO, 80211. Please be aware if you are unable to attend the mass, a videographer will livestream the mass, if you choose to isolate due to pandemic concerns. Donations may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, ASPCA American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The livestream of the funeral will be available at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ckpmediaservices.com__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!dg2BdhE8e5MRyTJAK3R5-PgKUvUAmYzSABszlvDbzRVaZk3k7jIXWOOCtbrCBKVjcxblu-ZQOrMi$ [ckpmediaservices[.]com]
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