On April 1, 2024, Shawna Rae (Varner) Jones passed from this world into her heavenly home where she will now watch over all those she loved and treasured. Shawna had a personal relationship with Jesus and this brings much comfort to us all as we know we will be together again.

Shawna was born in Monte Vista, Colo., on May 25, 1975, to John and Sandra (Bryant) Varner, where she was welcomed home by her sister, Christy (Varner) Brady (Bert).

Her maternal Grandparents were Pete and Becky Bryant and her paternal Grandparents were Warren and Julia Varner.

Shawna was married to Mark Edward Jones, who remained her friend. Shawna was the very, very proud mother, friend, and confidant of her children, Tucker Lee Jones and Payton Makenzie Jones. They were the pride and joy of her life. Shawna also had a special relationship with Ethan, Emily, and Avery Ellithorpe and Baylor Phenix. All of whom she loved dearly. Her home was always open to kids who needed a little chill time, a little encouragement, a lot of fun, and unconditional acceptance.

Shawna also leaves behind her aunts and uncles, Tom and Sallie Hibbs; Virgil and Doris Varner; Elaine Varner; and Charles Bryant Jr., many adored nephews and nieces, cousins, a great family of in-laws, a slew of friends and her very loved Great Dane, Maddie.

Shawna was fun loving and full of energy from the start and would make friends wherever she went. She marched to the beat of her own drums while always reaching out to help others however she could. What she and her sister, Christy, could not think of to do, she and her friends certainly did.

Shawna would defend and stand behind those she loved, even when no one else did. Anyone who knew Shawna quickly learned that she was a hard worker, genuine, friendly and openly welcoming to others, sincere, very mischievous and ornery. Even her nurses and doctors got to experience the twinkle in her eye, a wink, and an ornery little smile as she teased them about something, even in the last days of her life.

Shawna excelled in gymnastics in school. She loved riding horses, especially her horse, Mr. Tibbs. She was always strong and could out wrestle many of the boys in her classes. Her love for sports was passed on to her children and one of their greatest pleasures was in watching and cheering on their favorite teams.

Shawna was a fighter and overcame many challenges throughout her life and then recently conquered cancer. She valiantly fought a genetic disease, hemochromatosis for the past several years that eventually destroyed her liver. In December Shawna learned

that she needed a liver transplant and she was first in line at Anshutz Hospital. While at Anshutz Shawna found that she had contracted a drug resistant bacteria that caused her body to go into sepsis. She was known for being stubborn and continued to be so through the end, fighting to not pass away on Easter but to wait until April Fools Day.

Shawna worked at Mountain Meadows Nursing Home as a teenager. As an adult, she worked as a nanny in Denver, Colo., at San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center as a Dialysis Technician, at the Monte Vista Animal Clinic as a Vet Tech, at Rocky Mountain Homes in charge of warranty and maintenance, Sargent Schools as a beloved substitute teacher and secretary, at Miller Coors as a Barley Purchaser, all in Monte Vista, Colo., and then at Golden Plains Insurance in Springfield, Colo.

Shawna’s cousin Charles Bryant III, summed it up perfectly: “The only comfort we have in sorrow is knowing that such a powerful feeling was only made possible by the joy that we have experienced. While immense, the gorge of sorrow is in direct proportion to the bounty of joy and love that Shawna selflessly gave. What feels like a void in our hearts with her departure is actually the inverse; she gave us so much that we struggle to carry forward or contain the weight of the love that was hers. As we regain our strength, we must carry this love and joy on to others. Sustaining that flame of love is one of the few tributes that would be worthy enough for such an angel as Shawna. Thank you for being the embodiment of sunshine, my dear cousin. I love you.”

Shawna did not want a funeral service. Instead, she wanted a celebration of life party, not only celebrating her life but each other and life itself. She lived life to the fullest, as should we in her honor. The party will be held April 27, 2024, at the Ski Hi Stampede Complex from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shawna left a legacy of love. Please come and share your memories and stories of this most special soul.

In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up to help Shawna’s kids with expenses. If you would like to donate, please make checks out to Christy Brady with the memo of Shawna Memorial Fund and mail or bring to Frontier Bank at 808 Main Street or to Christy Brady at 209 West 4th Avenue, Springfield, CO 81073. You can also Venmo a donation to @Christy-Brady-15.