Deola "Dee" Brinley

Dee, as she preferred to be called, was a kind, intelligent woman with a bright spirit and quick wit. She was known for bringing joy and light into every space she went. She loved her family deeply, was a great gift giver, and adored being a Mimi to her grandkids. She was a prolific and masterful quilter, making stunning pieces that have been in shows, some that have hung in the state capitol, pieces that marked landmark events, and many that kept her family warm through many Colorado snowstorms. And if you knew Dee, you know was an avid hockey fan. She loved hockey even before Colorado had a professional team, was ecstatic when the Avalanche arrived and was a dedicated fan through all the peaks and valleys of their time here. Most of all, she loved teaching her family to love the game as she did.

Dee was born in Washington state to Neola and Dean and moved to Colorado at age 2 with her older brother after the passing of their father. Shortly thereafter, her mother remarried and her baby sisters joined the family and they relocated to Denver where she attended elementary school, junior high, and South High School (class of ‘72). After high school, she attended college at the University of Colorado Denver, double majoring in biology and psychology. Following graduation, she went to work for a life insurance company in equities and quickly assumed a management position. Over her professional career, she worked for several companies including Massachusetts Financial, Great West Life, Jackson National Life, and as an independent consultant. Her work usually encompassed leading and managing teams, with varying goals or objectives, to which she often saw great success. She had a way of making a difference to others daily through her professional influence and had many colleagues become friends along the way. She also was well connected to her church community over the years, actively participating by serving in various roles over her time, leaving a lasting influence on many she worshiped with.

She met her husband Dave in December of 1978 at a Christmas party. They were married in October of 1981. They purchased their dream home in the foothills in 1983 and welcomed their daughter, Annika, to the family in 1984. They made that house a home until Annika had her daughter in 2011 when Dee and Dave moved to the city to care for their granddaughter. In 2016, Annika added a son to her family and Dee and Dave moved yet again to be closer to the grandkids in 2017, this time settling in Castle Rock where they live to the present day.

Dee is survived by her beloved husband, David Wood; her daughter Annika Barton (Jeremy); and her grandchildren Genevieve and Everett. She is also survived by her sisters Mary Aldy and Peggy (Jerold) Gehringer and their daughters Kari, Kendra, and Kayla; her Aunt Pat Wiley and her son JohnMark; her nephew Bennett Brinley and his children Blair and Jade; and by many friends whom loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by her brother Calvin Brinley, her mother Neola Aldy, her father Dean Brinley and other cherished family and friends.

Our family is grateful for your support during this challenging time and we genuinely appreciate the love received on behalf of Dee.

A memorial service for Dee will be held Monday, December 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121.

In lieu of flowers, please make a honorary contribution in her name to Kroenke Sports Charities.