Carolyn Dianne Mavrakis

Carolyn Dianne Hewes Mavrakis, age 78, died on June 29, 2025 at her beloved home at the base of the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction, CO. Carolyn was born on October 18, 1946 to Julius and Verda Hewes in Spearfish, SD. She grew up on the Hewes-Miller Ranch outside of Sundance, WY. After graduating from Sundance High School in 1964, she attended the Colorado Woman’s College and the University of Wyoming, earning a degree in secondary education. During college, she met Harry Mavrakis and they married on August 28, 1966 in Sheridan, WY. They were together for 43 years before Harry’s death in 2009. They resided in Denver, CO before moving to Grand Junction, CO in 1978, where they launched Mavco Investments, a brokerage/real estate company. She was an integral part of Mavco in the roles of co-owner, office manager and realtor, and the business thrived until its closing in 2009. Above all, she lived for spending time with her children and their families, and was known as “Grandma Mav” not only to her grandchildren but their friends, including the Colorado Mesa University golf team, where her grandson Jack was a collegiate golfer, and she hosted many dinners for the team. Her grandson Drew knew she was always good for an extra dessert, and stories about her adventures with Grandpa Harry . Jordan was her only granddaughter so they had a very special bond. Carolyn always knew Tony would come right over if she called needing anything done at her house. Her great-granddaughter Laramie was the light of her life. She would tell stories to everyone she came across. Over the last couple of years she became good friends with her home helpers Lily Heller, JoJo Luedtke and Megan Hyatt, who provided not only home help but also companionship. While she lived most of her life in Colorado, she never forgot her Wyoming roots, and enjoyed frequent trips to her family’s ranch and the Mavrakis cabin in the Big Horn Mountains. She also loved visiting with friends and cooking for big gatherings - the more, the merrier! Carolyn volunteered with the American Cancer Society, and the AAUW. She is survived by son Paul (Jenna) Mavrakis of Sheridan, daughter Nicole Farber (Tim) of Grand Junction, grandchildren Jack (Megan) Mavrakis, Jordan (Logan) Jensen, Drew Mavrakis and Anthony Farber, and great-granddaughter Laramie Jensen. Services will be held at Brown’s Funeral Home on July 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Donations in Carolyn’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.