The most loving, caring and accepting soul ever created, Yia Yia, born Feb. 16, 1930, left us on May 30, 2025.
Lorrie Carpino opened her arms to all who entered her life and adopted the young and old, many in Pagosa Springs. She made lasting impressions on so many lives and will be fondly remembered. Lorrie and her husband, Paul, relocated to Pagosa Springs in 1992 after a thrilling time in Denver, Colo. She was the right hand (administrative assistant) to the head coach of the Denver Broncos, Red Miller, and even has a Super Bowl ring. Naturally, she would tag along with family to team parties, spring training and Super Bowl 13. Later, in Denver, she was with the state of Colorado, training what she called “baby judges” with the Judicial Department.
Retiring in Pagosa to be near family, she and Paul were often found on the shores of Lake Pagosa, always outside fishing or having the neighborhood over for “pizza on the lake.” And a game of cribbage was always nearby. She raised five very diverse children in five years in western Montana while Paul was busy with his master’s degree and smoke jumping Montana wildfires. She had, for years, two to three children at a time in cloth diapers, sadly taking her time away from her gifted artistic talents.
Paul preceded her in death after nearly 75 years of marriage. She is survived by all five children: Lynne Hutton (Rick), Cathy Carson, Paul Carpino (Cinda), Betsy Carpino (Jim), John Carpino (Luanne); 20 grandchildren (including Trevor and Ty Peterson locally); and many great-grandchildren. Her desire is to be buried next to her dear “daddy” in Missoula, Mont., where a memorial will soon be held. In the meantime, plant a tr
