Colleen Collins

Colleen was welcomed to her family on February 9, 1960, to four curious boys and her parents Thomas Kirkwood and Shirley Luddington Collins. Colleen was raised in a beautiful home in East Millcreek. Colleen soon found herself immersed among flowers, fruit trees, a garden, cats, dogs and various farm animals. Close to the creek where many childhood hours were spent splashing in the crisp water from mountain runoffs. Colleen being raised with all brothers was overwhelmed with excitement to find out she would be able to welcome new little sister Bonnie to the family. And when it came time Colleen and sister Bonnie shared that excitement to be able to welcome their new baby sister Susan into the family. A special and deep abiding bond formed between Susan and Colleen as the years went on, lasting up to Colleen’s departure and will continue to be carried by Susan until they meet again. When it came time for Colleens parents to depart first in 1995 with her father and again in 2003 with her mother, sister-in-law Inez was a great support for Colleen and helped her through the grief of each loss.

Colleen was not one to complain but expressed deep gratitude for her upbringing and the blessing to have such wonderful parents. She enjoyed her youth, family trips to Jackson Hole, her garden and holidays. Colleen graduated from Olympus Highschool in 1978. Colleen embraced the value of hard work which is evident with her over 30 years at the University of Utah and later the Moran Eye Center retiring in 2018. This is where she met Darryl in 2001, upon meeting they knew they were meant to be. Colleen was quickly accepted by Darryl's children as the missing piece to their fathers’ puzzle, she completed them. In 2004 the first Grandchild Tammy was born, Colleen was absolutely smitten with her little peanut, the absolute apple of Gramma Colleens eye. Colleen and Darryl were together 9 years before marrying one another on October 1, 2010. Colleen and Darryl would welcome five more grandchildren between 2015 and 2021.

Colleen was known for her bottled tomatoes, homemade jams, pickled asparagus, soups, crepes, and cooking of all kinds, her canning skills were exceptional. If you entered their home and Food Network was not on you could expect that it was Hallmarks Christmas in July repeats. Colleen loved to cook and had to try at least one bite of all food put in front of her or anyone else at the table.

Colleen and Darryl loved to travel, Colleens happy place was the ocean gathering seashells, putting her feet in the sand feeling the ocean breeze and salty mist on her face. Being on the road was their happy place from the beaches of San Diego to eating fresh seafood on the shores of Maine. Together they took many cruises from the warm sunny beaches of Mexico to the cold shores of Alaska. In 2022 Colleen began to run into some health issues and it was decided her husband would retire they would get an RV and travel the United States. It began with short trips while Darryl was still working, going to places like Glacier National Park or Mount Rushmore, until being able to turn it into months traveling the east coast. Colleen and Darryl made everlasting friendships on their travels and met some they would consider now like family. During their travels Colleen began to decline and with more adventures yet to come they returned home to be close to doctors.

Colleen passed peacefully in their home on the early morning of Sunday, October 6, 2024. Upon her departure she received a welcoming and joyous reunion with her parents, brothers, grandparents, and many others who departed before her. Colleen has been and will remain to be her husband’s passenger on the travels still yet to come that they were unable to complete prior to her departure.

Colleen is survived by her husband; Darryl Evans, brothers; Farley Collins (Inez), Kim Collins, sisters; Bonnie Learned, Susan Collins, children by marriage; Jeramie Evans (Mickell), Daralee Bentley (Taylor), grandchildren; Tammera Hart (Braxton), Asher, Ethan, Danny, Jaster, and Vivian, many nieces and nephews all whom loved her dearly.

 Preceded in death by her parents Kirk and Shirley Collins, her brothers Lowel and Roger Collins.

In lieu of services a Celebration of Life will be held by the family on Saturday October 26, 2024. Please use the link provided for more details or to RSVP to attend.

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/celebration-of-life-colleen