Majel Dire, 92, passed away on June 26, 2016 in Colorado Springs. Majel was born on March 25, 1924 to the late Neil and Marcella (McPhillips) Patton in Webster City, Iowa. The family later moved to Illinois and after graduating in 1942 from McLean High School in McLean, Illinois, Majel worked in Joliet, Illinois at a munitions factory. In 1945, she moved to Colorado and became an operator for Mountain Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company. She retired in 1984 after 37 years of employment as a chief operator. In 1969, Majel married Manuel Dire in Colorado Springs and they had 20 happy years together.
In her spare time, Majel enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, entertaining guests and being the center of attention! She would always buy gifts and trinkets for her friends and loved helping people. She was a member of the Pioneer’s Club, CSHS Alumni Association and a longtime parishioner at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Majel is survived by her son, Don (Evie) Collins; daughters: Kathie (James) Moore and Beverly (Tom) Hendrix; 9 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters: Wilma Cranor and Audrey Forth. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Manuel; sisters: Shirley Jean Rayburn and Wanda Foste; her brother, Jack Patton; her grandson, Robert Chiders and her nephew Casey Forth.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 22 West Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. A Rosary will follow at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. and a luncheon reception will then follow the services at the church. Private entombment will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Cathedral.