Colleen Simons

COLLEEN O. SIMONS

1949 ~ 2022

Colleen Olsen Simons was born in Salt Lake City on January 25th, 1949 to Glen Aaron and Carol George Olsen. Colleen returned to her Heavenly Father on April 11th, 2022 following a long battle with cancer. She grew up in Magna Utah and graduated from Cyprus High School where she was a member of the Spinnakers and the Vice President of C.H.A.G. She married Richard Martin Simons on June 7th, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple. She was the mother of three children Darren, Cynthia and Marc. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved the Gospel with all her heart. She served in many capacities in the church, but especially loved the time she spent serving with the young women. She also treasured being a service missionary with Richard at Intermountain Medical Center.

Her most valued treasure in life was her family. She loved spending time with them in any capacity she could. She attended every activity that her kids or grandkids were involved in. It didn’t matter if it was high school graduation or a recreation soccer game, grandma was there. When her health deteriorated to the point it took too much energy for her to carry her chair across the field, you could find her sitting in her car cheering from the parking lot. Everyone knew grandma because she made sure she could be heard.

Colleen enjoyed traveling the world and meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. Whether it was going to Malta with Richard just because it was somewhere they had never been, or going to Disneyworld for the 100th time, they were always ready and willing to go. She was always up for an adventure.

Mom loved the beach. It didn’t matter if it was the sand in Florida or the sand at Pineview she loved to be near the water. Along with the ocean and the lake she enjoyed the pool. She loved swimming in her pool Richard called “the one jet hot tub”. She could always be found floating with a visor on and a cold water in her hand. Many family parties and memories came from her backyard or her sister Sharon’s.

She was artistic and loved to craft. She spent hours making wreaths, wood projects, blankets, floral arrangements and anything else the craft stores could sell her. Most of these projects were given as gifts to friends, neighbors and family and probably cost more to make than buy. She loved to share her talents with anyone she could. She enjoyed creating these special gifts for everyone until her body wouldn’t let her do it anymore.

Mom loved doing puzzles, playing cards, going to Bunco, playing board games anytime and anyplace. She even continued playing Bunco almost until the very end with her cherished friends. Mom and Dad made their home a welcome gathering place for everyone. On any given Sunday you could count on a sporting event on tv, a big dinner in the kitchen, games being played and friends and family having a good time.

Mom was a great friend, neighbor, sister, aunt and would do anything anyone needed no matter the time commitment or the cost, she just wanted to serve. She was known by all for the acts of service she performed and her willingness to help.

She was a believer in education and studied at the University of Utah and received her Bachelor of Science degree. For many of her working years she was employed as a graveyard information operator for the telephone company, where she made many lifelong friends.  Upon retirement she wanted to continue serving and took a job with Murray School District working as a PARA at Horizon Elementary. Mom loved teaching and helping the children to learn to read.

She was proceeded in death by her parent’s, her brother Doug, her son Marc and her brothers-in-law Paul and Butch. She is remembered by her eternal companion of 54 years Richard; her siblings Sharon, Ron (Brenda) and Brent (Dawna); her children Darren (Kristin) Cynthia (Soni) as well as her grandchildren Kaylee (Chayce) Haines, Bailey (Chase) Stauffer, Lily Simons, Jayvin Simons, Marc Simons, Aysia Lige Vaka, Koleti Colleen Vaka, LeNia Vaka and Everton (Bree) Prado; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and many more loved ones.

Her funeral services will be held on Monday April 18th, 2022 at the Hidden Village Ward located at 5200 S Glendon St, Murray UT 84123. A viewing will proceed the services from 10:00am -11:45am with the funeral services beginning at 12:00 pm. The interment will follow at Memorial Redwood Estates located at 6500 Redwood Road, Taylorsville UT 84123.

Zoom hyperlink: https://zoom.us/j/98657799409?pwd=b3VNTHVWZStkakhvZHRKOXZQVWxtUT09