Shirley Fearns

After an unwavering battle with cancer, Shirley Mae Fearns passed away at home on May 15, 2021.  Shirley was a Denver native who was born to Sandy and Margaret Comito on September 3, 1931.  She attended various elementary schools in Denver and in 1949 graduated from St. Joseph High School.  She immediately enrolled in the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, obtaining her nursing degree in 1953.  Upon the recommendation of nursing school staff, Shirley undertook the adventure of working for United Airlines as a flight attendant.  These were prestigious times in the air travel industry, and flight attendants were required to hold nursing degrees.  She was based in Newark New Jersey, ultimately meeting her future husband, James Fearns.  They would soon marry and raise two sons, Robert and Patrick, in Englewood Colorado.

While raising her family Shirley first worked at Swedish Hospital, then for a private practice at Hampden Medical Group where she could engage in a more personal and meaningful patient environment. She retired from nursing in the early 1980’s and enjoyed many activities in retirement.  She was an avid Denver Broncos football fan attending many games at Mile High Stadium. She rarely missing a televised game and would often attend or host football parties with James, neighbors, and friends.  After the passing of James in 1994 she often enjoyed the solace of trips to a family vacation home in Hot Sulphur Springs.  Other activities included gardening, card games, and attending concerts by the locally based Queen City Jazz Band.  She loved her family very much, and particularly enjoyed staying in touch with her sisters and brothers.

Shirley is survived by Robert and Patricia Fearns and their children Colin and Tess Fearns,  Pat Fearns and fiancé Teri Henke, siblings Sandra Weiss (Al), Steven Comito (Jackie), Joseph Comito (Robbie), and Maria Flansburg (Jamie).

A funeral mass celebrating Shirley’s life will be conducted on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11:00 AM, Saint Louis Catholic Parish in Englewood, followed by a Committal Service at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area A,  at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the organizations shown at the bottom of this page.