Gay Mehl Obituary

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Gay Lyn Mehl on January 19, 2026. Gay Lyn was born in Denver, CO on April 3, 1959. She was the youngest child of Alberta & Clinton Mehl. Gay Lyn was married to Donald N. Pacheco, Jr for just shy of 40 years. Our marriage was built on love, honesty, & adventure.

Gay Lyn graduated from John F Kennedy H.S. and Colorado College. She was a competitive athletic swimmer in both high school and in college. She excelled in academics, was a resident advisor, joined the Gamma Phi sorority, enjoyed downhill skiing, lifeguarding, and loved her father's cabin in Eagle, CO. She was always looking for the next adventure. Gay Lyn had a huge interest in NFL football and the Denver Broncos, year-round sports radio, swimming & diving at our neighborhood pools, holiday decorating inside & outside of our house, & always wanted to travel to the nearest beach.

After college, Gay Lyn went to work for Capitol Federal Savings where she started as a teller and rose up to become a senior commercial loan officer. After the Savings & Loan debacle, she went to work in the food service industry with Leprino Foods, The SYGMA Network, and Einstein Bagel Corporation.

Gay Lyn is predeceased by her parents Alberta & Clinton Mehl & her sister Joy Ellen Karasik. She is survived by her husband, Donald N. Pacheco, Jr., her brother Dale E. Mehl (Adrea), her other brother Albert Mehl (Doris), and 13 nieces and nephews. [Scott, John, Jeffrey, Sarah, James, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Caroline, Danielle, Nicholas, Eric, Jacob, & Alexander] She has now crossed Rainbow Bridge to re-unite with her dogs, LaTosha & Mobley.

A ''Celebration of Life" will be held at the Horan & McConaty funeral home at 3101S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227 on Friday February 13, 2026 at 10:00 am.