Colleen Malison

Dorothy Colleen Malison, 83 of Caldwell, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2017. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, November 17th at Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, November 16th at Dakan Chapel. Condolences may be shared at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com
Colleen was born in Quincy, Illinois on February 28, 1934 to Dorothy Cleo Thomas (nee Hermes) and Herbert Francis Thomas. With the same first name as her mother, she used the name Colleen for her entire life. She lived in a number of small towns in Illinois in her younger years, eventually settling in St. Louis, Missouri where she attended and graduated from Normandy High School. There she met her future husband, Robert Francis Malison.
Colleen attended William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri for one year. She then matriculated at Culver Stockton College where she joined Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and subsequently, Washington University in St. Louis. She worked at Wagner Electric in the IBM data processing unit for several years. This provided support for her Robert after they were married during his medical school training. Their first son, Robert Thomas was born in St. Louis. They moved to Butte, Montana where Robert was stationed in the Army for three years. Their sons, David William and Jeffrey Herbert, were born in Butte. They then moved to Portland, Oregon while Robert was in medical residency.
Colleen’s young family subsequently settled in Caldwell, Idaho. During her nearly four decades in Caldwell, she worked full time as a tireless homemaker, a devoted wife, and cherished mother. In addition, Colleen was actively engaged in numerous civic projects, including collections for local fund raisers, driving for Meals on Wheels, and volunteering at West Valley Medical Center. She was also a valued member of Chapter AU of the PEO Sisterhood. Colleen had a love for life, a wonderful laugh, a great sense of humor, and a wide range of interests, including weaving, crafts, bridge and family sports (e.g., skiing, camping and fishing). In recent years, she delighted in the birth and lives of her twin granddaughters, Kathleen Anne (Katie) and Emily Marie Malison.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents; her son, David; and her sister, Aldytheann Cook of Bloomfield Hills, MI.
She is survived by her loving husband, Robert; her sons, Robert (Eugenia M. Vining) Malison and Jeffrey Malison; and her granddaughters, Katie and Emily.
Colleen was deeply loved, will be greatly missed, and forever remembered.

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