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“I will never forget her beautiful smile,” people often said when remembering Kayannette Gabrielle, who passed away on March 24, 2026. Her smile, reflected through her captivating blue eyes, embodied the love and light she carried throughout her life.
Kayannette, born Kay Rybicka, on October 31, 1949, grew up north of Bennett on a dryland farm with her father Courtland “Courty” Rybicka, mother Alvira “Vi” Rybicka and older brother Roger Rybicka. One of the last to be schooled at the Sunnydale Schoolhouse, she later attended Strasburg High School, graduating as Salutatorian in 1967.
She married her high school sweetheart, Bruce Hanlon, in 1968 and they had three children—Brett, Jared, and Colette—while living in Strasburg. Following her divorce in 1982, she and her children moved to Littleton, where she was active in Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, serving as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, and Stephen Minister.
She supported her children’s education and passions while working in various jobs, including in healthcare, as an Executive Assistant, and later as a legal assistant, before becoming self-employed. She also pursued studies in business and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
Later in life, she followed her interest in the Healing Arts and lived in Cambria, California, working as an alternative medicine practitioner. After a period away from contact, she was found in Santa Barbara and returned to Colorado to focus on healing and reconnecting with family. She was later diagnosed with dementia and passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Kayannette is predeceased by her mother and father and is survived by her children, Brett (Lori) Hanlon, Jared (Thelma) Hanlon, and Colette (Kevin Fletcher) Hanlon; grandchildren Anthony (Sara) Hanlon, Jaden Hanlon, and Troy Hanlon; great-granddaughter Ramona Hanlon; her brother Roger Rybicka; and cousins John M. Hunt III and Sharon Grammer (widow of her late cousin Elizabeth Hunt).
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