Jeannette K. Foco

Mrs. Jeannette K Foco of Denver, Colorado passed away at the age of 79 on October 23rd, 2011 at 6:20 P.M. at the Denver Hospice at Lowry of congestive heart failure. Jeannette was born on February 22nd, 1932 in Bay City, Michigan to Ruth and Raphael Knack. Jeannette was married to Mr. Richard Foco of Bay City, Michigan in 1954. Jeannette was educated at the Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and worked in public health nursing and industrial nursing before going to the Denver Sheriff's Department in 1965. There, she became a matron of the women's section at the Denver County Jail, carrying the rank of sergeant. Jeannette introduced concepts of rehabilitation of inmates rather than punishment, and used a system of privileges and rewards to encourage cooperation and good behavior. These concepts were unheard of in this era, and were mirrored in other facilities around the country. After her tenure at the Denver County Jail, Jeannette worked as a unit manager and Psych Nurse at Mount Airy Psychiatric Center in Denver until retirement. Jeannette and her husband have been active members of Saint James Catholic Church in Denver for over fifty years. She is survived by her husband Richard, son Hunter and wife Jolene, and daughter Shelly Mecum. Jeannette has five grandchildren, Jeremiah, Samuel, Christianne, John and Joey, and seven great grandchildren, Ethan, Jalynn, Paul, Alex, Lily and Zoey, and Evelyn Lee. Jeannette is also survived by her sister Lynn of Deland, Florida. Jeannette was predeceased by her beloved son Paul and his wife Michelle in November of 1978. Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 27th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm followed by Rosary at 7pm at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver. Funeral Mass is on Friday, Oct. 28th at 10:00 am at St. James Catholic Church, 1311 Oneida St., Denver. Jeanette will be remembered by friends and family as a feisty soul whose generous and compassionate nature led her to open her home and her wallet to everyone; friends, family, and even complete strangers while they got on their feet. Her faith, and her trust in and compassion for others was contagious to everyone she came into contact with. Jeannette spent her life fighting on behalf of the needs of others. Yet, anyone who she ever argued with soon became her very best friend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Condolences can be posted and shared by clicking on the GuestBook link below.