Danna Gnazzo Laverty went to be with the Lord, the One she trusted in so much, March 4, 2013, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her husband and children. She stands victorious over cancer, a disease that never quenched her spirit or strong faith.
Danna was born in Minnesota on a warm sunny day, on Jan. 26, 1959, to Daniel John and Maxine Gnazzo. In 1963, she moved with her family to Aurora, Colo. Danna was confirmed at St. Marks, Lutheran Church in Aurora, and was very active in church activities. Danna also was a gifted athlete and participated in sports including track and volleyball. In the fifth grade, she set a record in the long jump with a leap of 13 feet 11 inches, a record that may still stand today.
She graduated from Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, and was a member of their charter graduation class of 1977. She attended and graduated from Northern Colorado with a degree in psychology and Adams State with a master’s degree in family counseling and social work. After graduation, Danna moved to Fort Collins and was employed as a sheriff’s deputy. Danna moved to Pagosa Springs in 1984, a place that she loved and that became her home for the next 30 years.
Kurt and Danna were married March 19, 1988, on the banks of the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs. Danna had the dream of living in the country and raising a lot of kids, and that was a dream which she lived out. She loved being a mom, and stayed at home to homeschool all six of her kids for over 20 years. She was an active member of the local homeschool group and made many of her friends there.
Her greatest joys in life were found in her children, and she pushed them all to live their passions and dreams. She supported them in many of their international missions trips, sports ventures, drama and singing ventures, and was always their biggest fan. She had a passion for mission work and the local church, Restoration Fellowship, that she was a part of. Danna loved the Lord, and shared her faith and passion with everyone that she met. Her faith was strong and she believed in the goodness of God and His faithfulness, and instilled this strong faith and passion in her children. Her strong walk of courage and strength was an inspiration and encouragement to many, and she always believes that each day was the “perfect opportunity for a miracle.”
Danna was a much-loved friend and could often be found talking on the phone, encouraging others, and helping people live life to the best of their potential. She made the world a little smaller of a place, as she loved to get people connected and share resources with others.
One of Danna’s lifelong passions was fishing, as she said that being out in the quiet of nature and in the sunshine made her feel alive. She loved the sunshine, and her Italian heritage was seen in her sun-kissed complexion, passionate “talking” with her hands, boldness, and joyful personality.
Danna is survived by husband, Kurt, and loving children, Benellen, Allison, Mason, Johannah, Jesse and Caleb, mother Maxine, brothers John and Paul, and numerous nephews and nieces She is preceded in death by father Daniel and baby “Grace.”
In lieu of flowers, an account has been created in Danna’s honor at Restoration Fellowship Church in Pagosa Springs. Donations to this account will go to various missionary and ministry organizations that Danna believed in and loved to support. Checks can be mailed to 264 Village Drive, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, with “Danna Laverty” in the memo line. If you have questions, please call 731-2937.
