Remembrance of the Life of Harriet (Tip) Barker Altmix CoL

After 94 years of enjoying life, Harriet (Tip) Barker Altmix CoL died on March 15, 2015. Tip was born in Denver, Colo., to Charles and Harriet Barker in 1921 and grew up the sixth of seven children. She loved learning and completed high school when she was only 16. She then went on to attend Loretto Heights College in Denver for three years, studying drama. She would return to Loretto Heights almost 30 years later to complete her degree and graduate with honors. (Tip earned a bachelor of arts degree from Loretto Heights College in 1968.)

Tip was swept off her feet when she met Dr. Richard Altmix, a young medical student. They were married in 1941 and immediately started their family, which would become Tip’s life work. She successfully launched nine children into adulthood, but always longed for those days when her large family gathered around the dining room table for dinner and conversation.

Tip moved to Littleton, Colo., 68 years ago and was an active member of Saint Mary’s Parish, serving in many volunteer capacities including editor of the monthly parish magazine, “The Star.” She was an avid reader and participated in book clubs as recently as last year.

(From Loretto Archives files: Tip made her Loretto co-member commitment on March 6, 1977, in Denver, and celebrated her co-membership silver jubilee March 6, 2002. In her 1977 autobiography, she wrote she was co-chair with Sister Marie Catherine Pohndorf of the Loretto Heights College Alumni Book Club and belonged to a faith-life group with Sisters Sarah Frink, Rose Colley, Marie Catherine, Elaine Prevallet and Patricia Jean Manion.)

Tip is preceded in death by her parents and all six of her siblings, as well as the love of her life, Dick Altmix and her grandson, Luke Altmix Simmons. She will be missed by her 31 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Her nine children thank her for teaching them to embrace life and all that it brings them. They are Mary Ann Morning (Glenwood Springs, Colo.), Lucy Koran (Dillon, Colo.), Theresa Wajnert (Calistoga, Calif.) Margaret Altmix (Loveland, Colo.), Lori Shows (La Luz, N.M.), Julie Altmix (Denver, Colo.), Joe Altmix (Centennial, Colo.), Jim Altmix (Elizabeth, Colo. and Fred Altmix (Nashville, Tenn.).

Memorial services for Tip will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, March, 28, 2015, at Drinkwine Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Tip’s favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders. Donations can be made at Doctors Without Borders: Click here.

So that your contribution in memory of Tip can be acknowledged, please include Margaret Altmix ([email protected] ) in the e-card recipient section.

—  Obituary and photo courtesy of Drinkwine Family Mortuary