Our mother, grandmother and friend, Colleen Ane Coleman Moore, passed away surrounded by her family on March 11, 2017 in American Fork, Utah. She was born July 2, 1929 in Manti, Utah the daughter of Vasco Carrol and Venona Marie Madsen Coleman. She was raised in the happy home of Venona Madsen and her second husband, Earl Gleason, in Milford, Utah. Earl was a railroad engineer and Mother fell in love with the handsome son of another railroad engineer, Maurice George Moore, who lived nearby in her small town. She married her high school truelove on September 14, 1946 in Milford, Utah immediately prior to his Navy service in World War II. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple July 26, 1948 after he returned home.
Colleen was an active member of the LDS Church. Family and gospel were the center of her life. Her happiest hours were spent keeping a loving home for her children and husband. As children we felt like the troubles of the world were kept at bay once we reached home and walked through the front door. Our mother gave a lifetime of service in all the organizations of the LDS church, was an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple and served as a true partner with Dad in his many religious responsibilities. At the young age of 32 years, Mother and Dad were called to serve a 3 year mission in the British Church Building Program. Two of their children were born while serving there. They built a beautiful chapel near the London Temple and worked miracles. Their professional lives were centered in the construction business. Mother and Dad were together both at home and at work. Dad ran a successful business building over 100 chapels across Utah and surrounding areas. Mother was at his side running the home office and keeping books.
Mother lost dad in 2008 to terminal ALS but chose to greet her widowed life with a smile. She inspired those who met her. She tackled her own health challenges with courage and determination and wanted to be a compassionate friend to all. She lived in assisted living for the last four years of her life. It was a fun time to sit at Mother's dinner table there and enjoy lively stories and good conversation. She found many new friends whom she loved and they loved her back.
Survivors include: Douglas (Deborah) Moore; Debra (Bob) Fotheringham; Dan (Ali) Moore; Karen (Randy) Diamond; 24 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; and a great great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband, Maurice; her parents and a brother Jim Gleason. Funeral services will be held Thursday March 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork 26th Ward, 975 North 60 East. A viewing will be held Thursday at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Burial in the East Lawn Cemetery, Provo, Utah. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.
Our family wishes to express our appreciation for the devoted attention of the Charleston Assisted Living staff, Stonehenge of American Fork, and OneCare Hospice. Their professionalism and service went above and beyond common care to a level of highest excellence.