Alana Dawn Nowlin

A beautiful and loving child, Alana Dawn Nowlin, was born to us on February 8, 2005 in Cortez, Colorado. This gracious gift from God began her journey upon this Earth, touching the hearts and affecting the lives of every person she met. This energetic and fun loving free spirit was busy exploring everything in her world, never wanting to stop learning and experiencing all that life had to offer. Alana was guided through life by a family that cherished every moment with her, and helped taught by all those who continued to fill her passion to learn as she attended Por Dia Pre-School and Kindergarten at Kemper School in Cortez, Colorado, and Elementary School in Dolores, Colorado which became such a big part of her life. Alana especially loved the outdoors, explored and experienced all that it had to offer. She was part of the congregation at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, and loved going to church camp each summer. Alana loved all animals and had a special gift that attracted them to her. She was involved in Girl Scouts, both in Dolores and Cortez until becoming passionately involved in many sports, including shooting, archery, and Dolores Bears Volleyball. As it has always been with Alana, she constantly wanted to experience and participate in other sport activities, and attended football camp during the summer of 2016 and was part of the Dolores Bears Football Team when school started this year. Alana received so many accolades and awards for her accomplishments and caring character, as she touch the lives of so many, creating friends out of everyone she met, and loved spending time and having fun with each and every one. She had recently received a "Kindness" award in school that she was so proud of, as this described who Alana truly was. Alana was taken from us to soon when she passed away on November 4, 2016 at Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado with her grandfather by her side, creating the deepest loss for all, but her love will never be forgotten. What a life she had and impression she left behind. Surviving Alana are her maternal grandparents, Steve and Kathy Nowlin of Dolores; her mother, Heather Nowlin of Dolores; her father, Dustin Grider of Grand Junction; by her siblings, Bishop Nowlin of Dolores, Kyler Ellerman of Denver, Colo., Tydall Davis of Arizona, Austin Grider of Colorado, Kaydance Grider of Cortez, Sean Grider, of Grand Junction, Colo. and Jaxon Grider of Grand Junction; her step-brother, Reginen Graham of Grand Junction; her paternal grandparents, Larry and Linda Grider of Cortez; and by her great-grandmother, Alta Phillips of Cortez. Alana was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Les Phillips, and Lee and Betty Nowlin. Memorial contributions may be made in Alana Nowlin's name to a fund set up at Dolores State Bank. Please contact Judy Eggers at 970-739-1747 for donation instructions.