Eleanor M. Irvine

Eleanor Maxine Irvine, 94, of Ft. Collins and formerly of La Junta, passed away on May 10, 2017, in Ft. Collins, Colorado. She was born to Charles & Myrtle Hackett in Pueblo, Colorado on August 31, 1922 where she spent her youth in Pueblo and Penrose. She graduated from Penrose High School in 1940. That year, Eleanor was crowned the Apple Blossom Queen in the Penrose Spring Festival.

She married Rockie Newell from Florence Colorado in 1941, and they made their home in Pueblo. Rockie entered into the Navy soon afterwards, and the couple traveled to many location during WWII. Eleanor worked during the Korean War at the Pueblo Ordinance Depot, sending/receiving coded communications regarding munitions transport and storage.
In 1950, Eleanor married Forrest Griffith, an Air Force Pilot. They made their home in La Junta, Colorado, where Griff managed Empire Aviation for many years. Eleanor was employed at many businesses in La Junta during this time, including Empire Aviation, Colorado Bank and Trust, Woolworth's and Otero County Social Services. Upon retirement from Social Services in 1990, she married a former High School friend, Jim Irvine. They made their home first in Kennett Square, then Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Jim Irvine passed away in 2002, after which Eleanor moved back to Colorado to be with friends and family. Eleanor was a member of the United Methodist Church in La Junta. She had several residences in La Junta including Casa Del Sol and Evergreen Gardens. In August 2016, Eleanor moved to Fort Collins to be near family.
Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Iralee (Curt) Miller of Fort Collins; son, Forrest Griffith of Akron; grandchildren, Tracy Woodward of Highlands Ranch, Heather (Jim) Tuccio of Highlands Ranch and Matt Griffith of Denver; great-grandchildren, Lauren Woodward, Peter Woodward and Isabella Tuccio, all of Highlands Ranch. She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Mary Trainor and grandson, Sean Griffith from La Junta.
As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and friend of many, she will be remembered for her lively wit, her industry and ambition. She was always stylish and laughingly referred to herself as the Queen. We will always lovingly miss "Queen" Eleanor.

A private service is planned for her family.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.