Published in Denver Post on January 16, 2013 -

Born Irene Vento in the city of Florence, CO on Feb. 1, 1922, daughter of Tony & Lena Vento. She is predeceased by her parents, two sisters, Doris Ann Vento & Cecilia Vento-DeFellippie, & three brothers, Dominic, Phillip & Joseph Vento. Two of her loved ones were lost to cancer, husband Lee in 1991 & daughter Sheryl Jean Powers in 2006. Irene grew up and attended school in Florence, CO where she met the love of her life, Leland M. Coulter. Irene was totally devoted to Lee and together they worked to raise a family & support his pursuit of a career in law. Her first born was daughter Sheryl, followed by sons Ted & Peter, then daughter Paula. Irene & Lee worked together during his college days in Gunnison, Denver & Boulder, CO. Upon his acceptance to the Colorado Bar Association they moved to Colorado Springs & resided there for several years. Irene made certain that all of her children enjoyed the benefits of a private Catholic parochial education while at the same time sharing with them her incredible gift of being able to laugh at life & its challenges. Her smile won over an ever growing cadre of life long friends no matter where she went or called home. She & Lee moved their family to Aurora, CO where they were extremely active in civic & Catholic Church affairs. Their circle of family, friends & acquaintances continued to expand. It was impossible to meet Irene & not love her. Certainly her extended family adored Irene & have visited & supported her on a constant basis during her waning years. Regrettably she passed away in peace on Jan. 6, 2013 at Atria Inn at Lakewood, whose staff looked after her with caring & loving attention during her time there. In addition to her remaining children, Irene is also survived by son-in-law Bill Powers & daughter-in-law Barbara Coulter, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, countless friends & a wonderful group of sisters-in-law & "lady buddies" who have stuck together for decades. Mass and Memorial at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 1985 Miller St., Lakewood CO 80215 will be held on Thurs., Jan. 24th, 11:00am. Burial services will be held in Florence, CO at Union Highlands Cemetery on Friday, January 25th, 11:00am (located one mile west at the intersection of Coal Creek Drive & Arrowhead off South Robinson Ave., Florence). In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in the name of Irene Coulter to: Life Guidance Staff @ Atria Inn at Lakewood c/o Megan Cianfrance, 555 Pierce St., Lakewood CO 80226 or to the of Colorado, 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver CO 80203. Rest in Peace Mother, you will be loved forever.