Gene Hornbein

Jan 14, 1928 -

July 5, 2019

Shirley Gene Hornbein passed away peacefully at home in Clarkston, Wash., on July 5, 2019. She was born on Jan. 14, 1928, in Denver, Colo., to Ted and Alice Swartz. Gene's father taught her, without regard to gender, fly fishing, marksmanship and handicrafts. During her college years at the University of Colorado she was a Girl Scout counselor and a member of the mountaineering club. It was there she met Tom Hornbein. They were married for 15 years and had five children.

Gene lived and traveled in many places including Colorado, California, Washington, Alaska, Pakistan, India, and Nepal. Redmond, Wash., was home for many years, where she taught elementary school. After retiring from teaching, she worked at REI, studied Hindi and Urdu, and volunteered with the Southeast Asian Refugee program in Seattle, teaching English as a second language. She studied and worked overseas for several years, teaching English in Pakistan.

Colorado was a very special place in Gene's heart. After moving to Washington state in the 1960s, she returned to the Estes Park, Colo., area on summer breaks, camping out with her children. She eventually bought a cabin where the family spent many memorable summers.

She loved the outdoors – she hiked, backpacked, skied and gardened. A creative person, she painted, sewed and knit, and made beautiful quilts. She donated her handicrafts to the Hilltop Guild in Allenspark, Colo. She passed on to her children her love of the outdoors and sense of adventure.

Gene is survived by her children, Lia Scavotto, Lynn Hornbein, Cari Hornbein, Andrea Hornbein and Bob Hornbein; and her brother, TR Swartz. Her ashes will be scattered in the place she loved the most, the Rocky Mountains.