Lois Carolyn (Wilton) Brinton, of Pagosa Springs, died on Feb. 7, 2024, at her home, surrounded by family. She was 92.
Lois was born in 1931 to Arthur and Kate Wilton. She was the youngest of six children and enjoyed growing up on the shores of Lake Huron in Lakeport, Mich. After graduating from high school in 1949, she went to junior college in Port Huron and graduated in 1952. That same year, she began working as a medical technologist in Port Huron. She moved out west in 1953 to work at Saint Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs. There, she met Gerald (Jerry) Brinton, of Libby, Mont., shortly before his discharge from the Army. They were married April 1954.
The couple lived in various places across the U.S., including Libby, Mont.; Port Huron, Mich.; Chicago; La Grange, Texas; Reno, Nev.; and San Antonio, Texas. Finally, after years of searching for the right place to raise their five children, they decided to start a new adventure in Colorado. Jerry, Lois and the children arrived in Pagosa Springs on Jan. 1,1970, and never left. During their time in Pagosa Springs, Lois helped Jerry manage Hidden Valley Ranch in the early 1970s, then worked with Jerry as a realtor at Brinton Realty until their retirement in the late 1990s. Lois was instrumental in the establishment of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School and remained an active member of the church throughout her life. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, tell stories and read mystery novels. She made excellent rhubarb pie and enjoyed keeping up with the adventures of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mrs. Brinton is survived by daughters Elizabeth (Freddie) Martinez, Kathryn (Mark) Young and Sara Brinton, all of Pagosa Springs; as well as 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, infant daughter Sarah Jane, sons David Brinton, of Pagosa Springs, and Scott Brinton, of Durango, and grandson Christopher Young, of Pagosa Springs.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 56 Meadows Drive, Pagosa Springs. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Our Savior Lutheran Church.
