Carrie J. Eggert

Carrie Jane Eggert (Tinsley) peacefully left this world in the early morning of December 26, 2023 at the age of 89, under the generous care of HopeWest Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. Prior to hospice, her only daughter Jane tenderly provided for Carrie as she courageously battled dementia, a disease known to take one’s spirit, often long before it takes their body. Jane remained steadfast under the heavy weight of the challenges this disease brings, and our family stands grateful that Carrie was met with such grace and faithfulness until her dying day.

A beloved and adored daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Carrie is preceded in death by her father Walter Lee Tinsley Sr., mother Carrie G. Tinsley, brother Walter Lee Tinsley Jr., brother Timothy N. Tinsley, and her son Gregory W. Bretz. She is survived by her sister Connie J. Wood, daughter Jane E. Lostumbo, favorite granddaughter Rachel L. Armour, grandson William L. Lostumbo, and great-grandchildren Benjamin D. Armour, Rylan B. Armour, Margot L. Lostumbo, and Cameron D. Lostumbo.

Carrie was born in the 1930s outside of St. Louis, Missouri, and was the eldest of the four Tinsley kids. Always a music lover, she learned piano as a child, eventually learning to play the organ by ear. Her parents purchased a beautiful piano for her and her sister that she loved. But she loved few things more than her parents and siblings. Their bond remained strong, and she returned home often.

Life would bring her a husband and two children before leaving Missouri to head west to Arizona in the 70s. It was there that she began a distinguished career as an Emergency Dispatcher for the Payson Police Department. With natural wit, she excelled at her work, coordinating emergent care to countless people within her community over many years. In retirement, she and her husband Jerry moved to the coast of Oregon in the late 90s. She would grieve Jerry’s passing in the beautiful home they built together there, remaining in Oregon until her developing dementia required a move to western Colorado to be with her daughter’s family.

Carrie called Grand Junction home for 6 years and will be laid to rest there. We may not be certain of what her memory held onto in that time. We can be certain though that she was loved on every single day of those years. She sat with her grandchildren and enjoyed the joyful noise of her great-grandchildren, all of whom thought the world of her. There was music and dessert and laughter. She spent many of her days “at work” at the Senior Day Center and she never missed a hair or nail appointment. She stayed gorgeous and adorned in her cherished jewelry.

We will fondly remember our mom, sister, aunt, and Grana (Great Nana) as we proudly carry on her legacy. We will remember her signature laugh, her impeccable, mischievous sense of humor, her spirit of ease, and her incredible ability to make friends wherever she went. She was a resilient and bold woman. To have known her, was to know goodness.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Stillwater Cowboy Church in Fruita at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Hilltop Senior Daybreak program at https://www.htop.org/donate/ or to HopeWest at https://www.hopewestco.org/donate/.