Michelle Sweller

Michelle Sweller, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the age of 76, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on July 25, 1948, in Kansas, the daughter of Bonnie (Rafferty) and William Maloney, Michelle, the eldest of seven, grew up in a close-knit large family where she developed the values that would guide her life. Shortly after graduating from Rosary High School, Michelle joined the Air Force, where in 1970 she met the love of her life, James Sweller, while serving at Travis Air Force Base in California. They shared 53 beautiful years of marriage built on love and laughter.

Michelle was the proud and devoted mother of her four children, Stacy, Teresa, David, and Dan. She was a loving grandmother to her three grandchildren, Danielle, Lauryn, and Connor. Her greatest joy came from caring for her family. Her home was a place of love and activities like garage sales, long conversations on the front porch, and Margarita socials. She was a steady, sometimes ornery, always entertaining, gentle spirit that shaped the lives of all who knew her.

She will be remembered for her love of Arabian Horses. She and her sister Connie started an Arabian breeding and showing program under Windspree Arabians, managing 14 horses over the years. One horse, Windspree’s Mirage, was exported to Europe, winning the Italian National Show and placing 2nd in the Italian National Championship. She will also be remembered for enjoying gambling, her love of the Renaissance Festival, Halloween, and throwing extravagant birthday parties for her grandkids. Michelle was also a published novelist of “Bottomline”. She could make everyone feel seen and valued. Whether through a home-cooked meal, a listening ear, Michelle touched many lives in small but deeply meaningful ways.

In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, Michelle is survived by her siblings Dan, Kathy, Brian, and Connie and their families. She was preceded in death by her daughter Teresa (who passed 28 days after birth), her parents Bonnie and William, her sisters Terry and Pat, and her sister-in-law, Denise.

Michelle will be interned at Fort Logan National Cemetery on May 19th, 2025. Following the ceremonies, a celebration of her life will be held after. All who knew and loved Michelle are welcome to attend and honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Michelle’s memory to Humane Colorado (https://humanecolorado.org/donation-center/giving/) Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/)

American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/)

Though she is no longer with us, Michelle’s love, legacy, and spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched.