Patricia Lynn Tunnell
February 13, 1942 ~ March 24, 2023
Patricia Lynn Tunnell passed away at her home in Evergreen, Colorado on March 24, 2023, at the age of 81. Born on February 13,1942 in Salt Lake City, Utah, she was the daughter of John Howard and Ardella Francis (Pedersen) Wheeler. As a child, Pat's maternal grandparents from Norway, Eva Clara (Little) and John Christian Pedersen, who were strong members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, planted the seed of faith that grew and guided “Patsy” throughout her life.
At a young age Pat loved to hear about the history of the pioneers. The stories her grandparents told her about coming from Norway and Georgia to Utah gave her an interest in learning as much as she could about her genealogy. In her later years she was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and had fun discovering her roots alongside her sister.
In 1960, she graduated from Lakewood High School in Colorado, and in 1961, Pat married Arlonn Bron, with whom she had one daughter, Stephanie (Bellatti). In 1964, she married Lloyd Donnelly Sr. and had four sons, Lloyd Jr., Jeffery, Matthew, and Chad. From her third marriage to Lyndal Tunnell in 1990, she gained two step-sons, Philip Tunnell and Dane Rigsby. Pat and Lyn helped raise his son, Philip, and her son, Chad, from grade school through high school.
Pat began her education at Red Rocks Community College in 1978, but when her youngest was 2 years old she put the last class for her degree on hold. Later she went on to receive a paralegal certificate. This led to a position at Disability Law Colorado, known as “The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People.” She served there for over two decades as the Colorado State Long Term Care Ombudsman and worked as a rights advocate in the Developmental Disabilities Program. She also supervised the Legislative Internship Program. After retiring in 2008, Pat dedicated her time to volunteering in her community, serving on the board of Colorado Senior Lobby, being appointed by Jefferson County as a CASA (court appointed special advocate) for children, and working with special needs children at the local school. At the age of 79 Pat returned to Red Rocks Community College to finish her degree. She spent many hours online studying math and took a Learning Collaborative math class to help her prepare for her final class, algebra. She even went back the following semester as a teacher’s aid in the prep class. Just two weeks before she passed, her teacher and the Vice President of student affairs, went to Pat’s home to present her with a well-deserved honorary associate degree in general studies. It was a beautiful graduation ceremony with her family at her side. Upon Pat’s request, a Red Rocks scholarship fund will be established in her name.
Pat’s hobbies included sewing clothes for her children and crocheting. She was an avid reader and particularly liked historical fiction and studying the scriptures. But, her main passion in life was caring for her children, no matter their age, and helping others. She made everyone feel important, respected and loved. Her heart was big and her arms were wide. Her kindness and generosity will be missed by many.
Patricia is survived by her husband, Lyn Tunnell, her brother, John Wheeler, her sister, Lynda Dean, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins who all loved her very much.
Donations
(In lieu of flowers)
Pat was a lifelong learner and a strong advocate for education. It is in her memory that the “Patricia Lynn Tunnell Memorial Scholarship Fund” has been established at Red Rocks Community College. If you would like to honor her by contributing to this fund, you can send a check with Patricia Tunnell’s name in the memo line to
Red Rocks Community College Alumni Relations
c/o The RRCC Foundation
13300 W. Sixth Ave., Box 1
Lakewood, CO 80228
Or you can contribute online by clicking on link here and follow the steps below:
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Type Patricia Tunnell
Designation “Scholarship fund”
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Memorial Service
Saturday, April 29, 2023
2:00pm
Reception to Follow
Golden, CO Stake Center
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
610 Coors St.
Golden, CO 80215
