Opal Conley…November 17, 1920 – September 10, 2013

Funeral services for Holly, Colorado resident, Opal Conley will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2013 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado. Pastor Eugene Birt will officiate. Burial will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation for Opal will be held from 1p.m. -7 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly.

Opal began her journey on November 17, 1920 at the Speer homestead north of Holly to John and Alice (Squire) Speer. She graduated from Holly High in 1939. She married Lewis Cathcart in January of 1939. To this union five children were born; Jessie Faye, Vera Mae, Wanda Kay, Gilbert Ray, and John Jay. They engaged in farming north of Holly until Lewis got sick. After Lewis got better they ran a dairy at the homestead north of Holly. They moved to town and ran the Old Holly Hotel for a while. Opal worked at several stores in Holly; Gambles, Reyman’s, and L&M Drug. Lewis passed away in March of 1971. After the passing of her husband, Opal went to floral arranging school and worked for Jessie’s Posies until they sold. She then attended nursing school. After graduation she went to work for Holly Nursing Care Center as one of their first nurses. This is where she met John Conley. They were then married September 5, 1978. This marriage brought three siblings, Buddy, Toni, and Rick Conley. Opal and John engaged in ditch riding for the Granada and Buffalo ditches. They retired in 1997. John passed away in November of 1999. Opal sewed, quilted and pieced quilts, and patched many things. Opal loved to help anyone that needed her help. She could about do it all. Her journey ended September 10, 2013 at the Holly Nursing Care Center at the age of 92.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Alice Speer; three siblings, Leland Speer, John L. Speer, and Eva Anderson; children, Gilbert (Butch) Cathcart, Wanda McCann; and husbands, Lewis Cathcart and John Conley.

She is survived by two sisters, Luella Leach and Della Jenkins; sister-in-law, Jo Speer; three children, Jessie Miller, Vera Hendrickson, and John Cathcart; three step-children, Buddy Conley, Rick Conley, and Toni Whitney; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Holly Nursing Care Center in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, Colorado.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado. For more information or to leave online condolences visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.