Georgia Erle McLaren

Georgia was born Georgia Erle Conley to George and Evadna Conley in St. Louis Missouri on August 11, 1924. She had one older sister Shirley, now deceased. Georgia and her family moved to Denver when she was very young and was raised in the Washington Park neighborhood. She graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She taught art after graduation and married Jean Raymond McLaren after he completed his military service. Georgia and Jean had two girls, Debra and Jennifer, lived in the Bonnie Brae area of Denver, and moved to Observatory Park near DU when Debbie and Jenny were in high school.

Georgia and Jean owned and worked side by side for many years at Fairfax Hardware on East Colfax. They then moved to Grand Junction and owned a motel for several years. They returned to Denver when Jean’s health began to deteriorate and owned a motel in Commerce City prior to retirement in Englewood on South Downing Street. After Jean’s death, Georgia eventually bought a condominium on East Yale Avenue near Colorado Blvd. at La Fontana and made her home there until her death. She continued creating art in oil, watercolor and pastels. She knit and/or crocheted booties, hats and blankets for new babies of family, friends, and those at Mayflower Church. She was active at Mayflower Church as she was able. Throughout the years, she enjoyed playing the piano and singing.

Georgia is survived by daughters Debra J. McLaren and Jennifer M. Flournoy (Spence); grandsons Sean R. McLaren (Theresa) and Ken Kelley (Katherine); great granddaughters Natalie McLaren and Riley Kelley; and great grandsons Matthew McLaren and Hudson Kelley. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, as well as many great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces and great great nephews. She was the last living representative of her generation on both sides of the family and was blessed to be well loved and cared for by family and friends.

Donations may be made in her name to Mayflower Church, 3001 S. Acoma St., Englewood, CO 80110.