Colleen Layton Allen passed away peacefully on February 11th, 2023, at the Beehive Homes in Thatcher, Arizona. She was born to Emma Malinda Foote and Oscar Clyde Layton in Mesa, Arizona, on January 20, 1929. She was very celebrated because she was the first daughter after four boys. She is the last living of her four brothers, Rex, Phillip, Jack and Clyde, Jr. and her younger sister, Rosalee.
Colleen talked about her childhood a lot. She had many friends that still kept in touch until the end. To say she loved her school years would be understating it. Even as her memory started slipping, you could mention Mesa High School and she would break out into the fight song, something we all loved.
Colleen graduated in 1946 and left home to attend college at Gila Academy. She married Lee Pace Allen, a Thatcher native, on October 5, 1948, in the Mesa Temple. After a year of marriage, she became a mother to her first son, and then four more. She never got the girl but was quick to say nothing was cuter than whatever boy came next. She was a wonderful mother and loved going to their sporting events and mountain trips with her family. Until the day she left us, she was still hoping for that one last ride and a chocolate ice cream cone.
Colleen enjoyed painting and book club. She loved to read and kept her scriptures close by until she couldn’t read them anymore.
Colleen leaves behind her five boys, Steven (Patricia), Scott, Greg (Teresa), Chris (Tammy) and Mark. She leaves behind 25 grandchildren, and was greeted by two that went before, Matthew Lee and Jennifer. She has lots of great grandchildren and some great-great grandchildren, who we hope we can acknowledge on her program.
Colleen had a strong faith and testimony of the gospel. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many different capacities. She was a friend to all with her sweet smile and friendly ways.
She will be happy to be reunited with the sweetheart, Lee, who she claimed was the best husband and father for her to have found. Lee passed away April 8, 1996, and she missed him every day.
Funeral services for Mrs. Allen will be conducted Thursday morning, February 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Preston Alder of the Thatcher Seventh Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, February 22, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Thursday morning, February 23, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center Relief Society Room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
