OBITUARIES

Doreen Olinger, age 76, passed away February 27, 2023 after complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Doreen Lee “Rene” Dondero was born on September 4, 1946 in Winsted, Connecticut to John and Pearl Dondero. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford. She married Gary Olinger in 1968, and they welcomed four children 13 years apart.

Rene was a devoted homemaker whose greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. She blessed her family and friends abundantly with her time, a ection, meals and gifts. She had a beautiful smile and bright laugh, and made guests feel welcome and happy in her home.

Rene was an avid reader of ction, and enjoyed travel, shopping, bowling, bridge, board games, tennis and water aerobics. She loved the mountains and appreciated boating, golf, skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. She volunteered in schools, church youth programs and Girl Scouts.

Rene’s battle with Alzheimer’s began in 2014, but she never stopped loving others, smiling and moving forward. Her devoted husband scarcely left her side. eir love story is an example of one of her favorite songs, “You are my sunshine.”

Rene is survived by her husband Gary; mother Pearl; sister Dianne Dondero; brother and wife Skip and Colleen Dondero; her children and spouses Todd and Lina Olinger, Trent and Shawna Olinger, Heidi and Kyle Bradley, and Haley and Ian McKean, and nine grandchildren. All of these she loved and touched deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., March 10 at Journey Church Colorado, 9009 Clydesdale Rd., Castle Rock. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Anchor Center for Blind Children.