Melva Marie George

Melva Marie (Leonard) George was born Dec. 30, 1938 in Gunnison, Colorado. She was the first daughter of Melvin Cass and Josephine Maire Leonard. Melva was the first baby born in the Gunnison Valley Hospital. As a child, Melva moved around the Western Slope with her family, finally settling in Gunnison. She graduated from Gunnison High School in 1956 where she was active in cheerleading, 4-H, Rainbow Girls and the band. After high school, Melva graduated with her associates degree in interior design at Colorado Women’s College in Denver in 1958.

Melva came back home and married her husband, Glenn George, after she had met him at the local sweet shop. Glenn and Melva were married in July of 1958 and celebrated their 66th anniversary in July of 2024. The George’s spent their first summer of marriage living in a small travel trailer in Powderhorn, Colorado. They both said that this is the best summer they have ever had together.

Glenn and Melva moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, and then moved back to Denver, where Glenn worked at the stockyards and Melva worked at Dean Buick. The Geoge’s purchased their first home in Northglenn, Colorado, and started their family. They knew that Gunnison was where they wanted to live, and had the opportunity to move back in 1970 to raise their family. Melva’s passion was volunteering in many activities, such as 4-H, Garden Club, P.E.O., Cowbells, Brownies, Cub Scouts and Rainbow Girls, to name a few. Melva was a willing volunteer wherever she was needed within the Gunnison Community.

Some of Melva’s most favorite activities were playing bridge and attending the Sante Fe Opera with her long-time friends. Her main focus was her family with whom she spent many hours jeeping, backpacking and fishing. She never missed an event that her two kids and three grandchildren participated in. Her dream of being a business owner became fulfilled with a successful children’s clothing store, The Peanut Gallery. In retirement, she spent many hours riding her bike across the country with her husband, Glenn, and Kay and Kenny George. She enjoyed taking the road less traveled.

Melva left this world on Sept. 15, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Marie Leonard, her sisters, Jessie and Beverly, half-sister, Janie, and brother, Bill. She is survived by her loving husband, Glenn George, her son, Brad George (Sheri), her daughter, Keri George, her three grandchildren she adored, Nick Kvachkoff, Ally Kvachkoff and Bethany George and her great grandchild, Lyla Marie.A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Gunnison Cemetery and a reception will be held in Webster Hall at the Gunnison Community Church at 2 p.m.The George Family would like to thank all the caregivers at Gunnison Valley Hospital and the Gunnison Senior Care Center for the care given to Melva and family.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or organization.