Jessie Renee Megan Garbesi, an undergraduate anthropology major, died Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. She was 23.
Ms. Garbesi was born March 24, 1990, in Durango, Colo., to Randy Morgan and Jeanne Louise (Harner) Garbesi. She was a Montezuma-Cortez High School band member and a swimmer. She was Colorado swimmer of the year.
She had a love of Native culture and spoke the Navajo language. She also loved the outdoors, sports, snowboarding and music and had a wonderful sense of humor. Most of all she loved her friends and spending time with them.
Ms. Garbesi is survived by her parents, Randy and Jeanne Garbesi of Cortez, Colo.; grandfather, Donald Harner of Aurora, Ill.; aunt, Kathie Roghair of Rock Springs, Wyo.; cousins, Jason, Justin and Jeff Roghair, and Heather Hubert; special friend, Steve Heath; friends from Crow Canyon Archeological Center and Leopard Sharks Swim Team; and coaches, Kevin Ketterer and Mark Knox.
Her extra family also included big brothers, Robbie McDonnell and Skylar Steven McCullough; big sisters, Megan McDonnell and Amanda McCullough; little brothers, Joel Applin and Austin “Shaggie” Cope; little sister (her “mini me”), Elaina Cope; all of the kids from the Leopard Shark Swim Team; her Flagstaff mom and dad, Willa and Dwayne McAullife; and her extra grandmas, Eileen T’schetter and Ernie Brown.
A celebration of Ms. Garbesi’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Transfer Campground above Mancos, Colo., followed by a gathering with the family at 3 p.m. at the Cortez Senior Center Annex.
Arrangements are being made through Ertel Funeral Home. For information or to send condolences, go to www.ertelfuneralhome.com.