Mary Irene Gross

06/12/1943 - 12/21/2022

Mary Irene Gross, 79, peacefully left us on December 21, 2022 at Poudre Valley Hospital surrounded by family. She was diagnosed with lung cancer on November 1st and passed quickly in 8 weeks.

“Irene” was born in June 1942 to her parents Bryant Owen and Katherine (Beasley) Owen in Paris, Tennessee.

She married Wallace Reed and had two daughters, Deborah and Donna. Her marriage ended after 12 years. On February 1st, 1974, Irene married Dan Gross in the Chicago area. Dan was living in Denver and brought Irene and her daughters to Colorado. Dan was part owner in a moving company and opened an office in Fort Collins in 1976. Irene loved Fort Collins and retired after 20 years with Safeway.

Dan and Irene were married almost 49 years (February 1st, 2023) and made it a tradition on every anniversary to go someplace warm; Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Mazatlán, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Phoenix, Texas or Las Vegas were often the spots. She liked to travel, so they also went annually to Iowa to visit Dan’s brother Bill and his family, then down to Tennessee to visit Irene’s family and friends.

Irene loved playing dominos and having cocktails with friends and neighbors. She was a great cook, loved doing crafts, decorating and housework. She hardly ever sat down and never watched much TV. She had a great sense of humor and loved getting together with Debbie, Donna and her “Baby” dogs (3 Chihuahuas).

Irene was preceded in death by her parents and (2) brothers, Charles and Ronny. She is survived by her husband Dan, brother Danny, daughters Debbie and Donna, grandkids Nick (Kristen), Mitch (Anna), Autumn (Caleb) and great grandkids, Calvin, Heyden, Paisley Irene and Cooper. Also a special (almost daughter in Denver) Laura May Walker.

We will be planning a celebration of life party at our Sunflower Clubhouse. Date to be announced.