Stacey Michelle Mitchell

Feb 19

December 27, 1975 - February 17, 2022

Stacey Mitchell, 46 (also perpetually 24) entered eternal life on Thursday, February 17th in Denver, CO.

Stacey was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on December 27, 1975 to her mother, Miki Merelli and father, Doug Mitchell. She grew up in Oklahoma, Missouri, and at 16 moved to Denver, Colorado with her family, where she has lived since.

Stacey was a talented stylist who made Denver more beautiful for over 25 years. Her friend and co-worker Andrew said that in the 14 years she worked in his salons, he never once saw an unhappy client. She was simply an amazing stylist who loved her craft and connected with everyone who sat in her chair.

Her artistry wasn’t limited to hair. She loved to paint, and had been learning to sew the last few years. She made intricate beadwork jewelry, she liked to weld, and wanted to get into woodwork next. She was an excellent chef and baker, a badass version of Martha Stewart.

Stacey possessed a generosity most people do not know. If you told her you liked her ring, or her jacket, there is a very good chance she would take it off and give it to you. Over the years we learned to stop complimenting her style so she did not give away all her things. If you invited her over, she brought something homemade, lasagna or cookies maybe, she never came without an offering. She gave this way to everyone. When you went out to eat with her she ordered half the menu. She let you take home the leftovers and she always wanted to pay the bill, to be the host, to make you feel good.

She is survived by her 24 year old son, Antonio, who was the love of her life, her parents Miki Merelli and Doug Mitchell, her boyfriend Brett Martin, her maternal grandparents Jeanetta and Leslie Heppel, her 5 siblings Serra Vaughn, Erin Merelli, Austin Mitchell, Jake Merelli and Joe Merelli, her beloved nieces Bella, Isa, Alina, Meadow, Miley, Hally and Cookie - to whom she was also honored to be a God-mother. And she loved her nephews; Rylan, Brody and Grady. She LOVED being an auntie, and she shined in this role. She had the kids over regularly and took them all over the city in the summer, feeding them well and being way cooler than their parents were.

When she reached the other side, she was met by many loved ones who went before her. We are comforted to know that her best friend Stephanie McCandless was there to greet and welcome her home. Surely Stephanie led her to a homecoming party, where her dog Charlie licked her face and then she got to see Gram and Grandpa Merelli, Grandpa Curtis and Grandma Doris, Grandma Rose and Grandpa Mike, Big Grandma and Grandpa Jacob, her Uncle Derek, her friend Rita and many more.

Her Celebration Memorial will be on Friday, February 25th at 1pm at Stonebrook Manor in Thornton, CO. We invite all who truly knew and loved her to attend. We would like you to dress bright and in style for Stacey.

Stacey was unique and so will her burial be. She told her sister months ago that when she died she would want to be cremated by water instead of fire (she did love her baths). The water from the cremation will be used to nourish flowers at Half Moon Farm in Lakewood next summer. You will see her in bloom there. The family wants to thank Be a Tree Cremation as well as In Memoriam Funeral Home for their excellent care and honoring of Stacey and our family as we navigate this pain.

If you would like to contribute to her burial and ceremony expenses, please see the venmo code below. All donations will be used for her services and/or Antonio’s needs.

“She was a free spirit guided by the wind, and nobody could tell her how to live, because of the fire in her heart, and the passion in her eyes. She was like a bird who had never been caged, and never would be.” -Mark Anthony

Please remember Stacey by her generosity, and be a little more generous than you have to be. We keep people in spirit by remembering them. In the Mexican tradition it is believed that there are 3 deaths. The first death is when we first learn we are immortal. The second death is when our body dies and the final death does not occur until the last time our name is spoken. We keep her with us by telling her stories and remembering her spirit.

Make a Donation

If you would like to contribute to her burial and ceremony expenses, please see the venmo code below. All donations will be used for her services and/or Antonio’s needs.