Kathleen Joann Tenney (Sherman)

Kathleen Joanne Tenney (Sherman), 76, of Montrose, CO, passed away peacefully on the evening of September 20, 2023, at Valley Manor Care Center under care of Hope West Hospice while dealing with complications of dementia, diabetes, and myeloma cancer.

Kathleen, lovingly known as “Kathy”, was born to Frederick Milton Sherman, and Mary Margaret Sherman (Boylan) at Montrose Osteopathic Hospital on October 28, 1946.

During her childhood, her father’s employment transferred the family to a variety of places throughout CA, UT, WY, and CO and eventually back to Montrose where she graduated from Montrose High School in 1964.  She was the eldest of 7 children.

Kathy continued her education by attending Mercy Hospital of Nursing in Denver, CO and started her nursing career by joining the United States Navy as a Nurse Corps Officer in 1968.

During her Navy travels, she met her husband, Donald Lee Tenney from Buckhannon, WV who was also in the Navy, and they were married in Jacksonville, FL on May 11, 1973.  They were blessed with 3 children, Donna Lee, Barbara Marie, and Scott Leslie.

Kathy continued to serve in the Navy for ten years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander before resigning her commission to move back to Colorado to raise her family in 1978.

Throughout the years, Kathy lived in a variety of states such as SC, WV, AZ, NV, and FL, however, most of her years were spent in Montrose, CO and she always called it home.

Kathy enjoyed crocheting and making items for family and friends.  She loved watching and supporting her children and grandchildren in their sporting and competitive events and being involved with anything that involved her immediate and extended family.  She enjoyed providing supportive/medical care to those in need.  She held tight to her Catholic faith and held her beliefs close to her heart.  She enjoyed reading romance novels, took great pride in her family’s military service, and ALWAYS put others concerns and needs ahead of herself.  She was truly a selfless and giving person, and those who knew her could vouch she was truly an angel who walked amongst us.

Kathy is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Donald Lee Tenney of Montrose, CO.  She is also survived by her three children, Donna Lee Smith (Tenney) and spouse Alex Smith of Slidell, LA; Barbara Marie Tenney Navarro and spouse Rey Navarro of Montrose, CO; Scott Leslie Tenney and spouse Candice Tenney of Yuma, AZ and stepson Sidney Tenney and spouse Ashley Tenney of Montrose, CO.

She has 14 grandchildren: Scotty and Brittany Tenney of Montrose, CO, Alyssa Patrick of Greer, SC, Krieg Patrick of Tucson, AZ, Kortni Patrick of Grapevine, TX, Ashley and Emily Tenney of Fallon, NV, Dylin Valerio of Fallon, NV, Tristan and Gabe Wallin of Fallon, NV, Hailey Tenney of Grand Junction, CO, Autom and Abbey Tenney o0f Naturita, CO and Ivy Tenney of Montrose, CO.

Kathy is survived by her 6 siblings. Rick Sherman and spouse Teresa Sherman of Montrose, CO. Marilyn Dowdy and fiancé William Borkowski of Fargo, ND. Debra Howe and spouse Rich Harger of The Villages, FL.  Joan Alexander and spouse Jabar Touama of Ridgway, CO. Barbara Kirk of Pine, CO. James Sherman, and spouse Tetiana of Timnath, CO.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Crippin Funeral Home.  Graveside memorial services will be held at Grand View Cemetery on Saturday, September 30,2023 at 1:30PM.  It is requested that attendees consider wearing Kathy’s favorite colors of navy blue or purple in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, Kathleen’s family is requesting that monetary donations be made to HopeWest Hospice in her name (Kathleen Tenney) so that others may be given the same care, dignity, and respect that she was afforded at the end of her life. htttps://www.hopewestco.org/donate/

Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose is assisting the family.