Connie Lea Perea of Grand Junction died Monday, April 21, at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was 44.

Connie was born Oct. 15, 1963, in Rifle to Adrian Lee and Betty Ellen (Myers) Gilleland. She spent her childhood in Silt and attended schools in Rifle and Grand Junction. She enjoyed fishing, playing Yahtzee and working puzzle books.

Her greatest joy was her family and especially her grandchildren. Connie battled with Huntington’s disease most of her adult life. She was a NASCAR fan, and she loved to gamble.

On Aug. 1, 1980, Connie married Pablo A. Perea in Grand Junction. He survives.

Other survivors include her mother and stepfather, Betty E. Taylor and Charles Taylor of Grand Junction; son Matthew Perea of Grand Junction; daughter Amanda Archuleta of Hayden; brother Robert Lee Gilleland of Grand Junction; sisters Bonnie Grant of Silt and Rhonda Burke of Horse Creek, Wyo.,; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. in the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel. Cremation preceded this service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cycle the Heartland for HD c/o Marie Nemec at 3087 A Road, Grand Junction, CO 81503.

Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.