Michele Ann (Hoelzel) Lear
Sept. 28, 1959 — Sept. 16, 2011
Michele Ann (Hoelzel) Lear, age 51, of Montrose, passed away at her home on Friday evening, Sept. 16, 2011. She was born Sept. 28, 1959 to Herbert and Julita (Larrazabal) Hoelzel in Pasadena, Calif. Michele spent her childhood in Eagle Rock, Calif. and graduated from Holy Family Catholic High School in Glendale, Calif. She married David T. Lear on July 11, 1987 in Los Angeles, Calif. Michele and David were members of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Los Angeles and St. Mary Catholic Church in Montrose. A talented pianist and vocalist, she served for over 20 years in the choir at St. Dominic Church and also at St. Mary Church. She was a member of the Carmelite community, when she resided in California, prior to her moving to Montrose, where she made her home until her time of death. Michele was a professional at computer networking and enjoyed her work and had met so many wonderful people. After her move to Montrose, she worked for the Pediatric Clinic in Montrose prior to getting ill. She will be missed by her family and many close friends.
Surviving family members include her husband, David Lear of the family home in Montrose; her mother, Julita Hoelzel of Los Angeles, Calif.; her son, Gregory of Los Angeles; her daughter, Tiffany of Chicago, Ill.; a brother, Stephen of Palmdale, Calif.; a sister, Georgine of Wausau, Wis.; and one grandchild, Arianna.
In memory of Michele Lear, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 1855 St. Mary Drive, Montrose, CO 81401; the San Juan Cancer Center, 600 S. 5th St., Montrose, CO 81401; or Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Don Malin officiating. An inurnment will follow the Mass at Cedar Cemetery, east of Montrose. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
