Mariam Colleen Hunt

Colleen Hunt passed away peacefully in Boise, Idaho on December 24, 2018. She led a life full of love, faith and kindness. Her loved ones are heartbroken by her departure but are comforted to know their separation is temporary.

Born in American Fork, Utah on July 31, 1934, Colleen was the daughter of Anna Christine Petersen and Myron Mercer Boley, whom she adored. She graduated from American Fork High School where she was editor of the school newspaper and played clarinet in the school marching band. She attended Brigham Young University where she met and married her sweetheart, Thomas Aasa Hunt, in the Salt Lake Temple on September 17, 1954.

Colleen spent the next 21 years as a strong and resilient Air Force wife, raising three children, while moving to bases in Texas, Nebraska, California, New Mexico, Florida, Washington DC, Washington and Ohio before settling in Boise, Idaho. She kept the home fires burning for two full years while Tom served in Vietnam in 1966 and Thailand in 1975. Colleen enjoyed exploring the country she loved. Her favorite home was in Washington DC, where she appreciated the museums, art and history.

She loved everyone, especially children, and was a champion of the underdog. Colleen's happiest years were spent raising her children and enjoying her grandchildren. Many tender hours were spent nurturing her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren -- reading to them, telling them stories and teaching them to draw.

Reading was one of Colleen’s great pleasures, she took copious notes and was an avid journal writer. She played the piano every day. She enjoyed drawing, oil painting, poetry, studying art and completing crossword puzzles. She enjoyed history and architecture and loved her trips to Rome, Florence, Paris, London, New York and other historical cities.

Colleen found beauty everywhere. Her testimony of God was greatly strengthened by the wonders of creation. Especially clouds...she loved clouds, and had been known to say, "I believe the clouds are mine!"
While widowed, Colleen found great comfort in the companionship of Coco, her dog. At night, Coco would allow Colleen a sliver of space to sleep at the edge of her king-sized bed.

Colleen "hugely" believed in miracles. And our family experienced a miracle when we found Becky Marlow to live with Mom, as her caregiver and friend for her last five years. This allowed her to remain in the comfort of her own home all the days of her life. She could not have received better care. Thank you, Becky.

The death of her husband, Tom, in 2005, broke Colleen’s heart. But how joyful their reunion! This celebration would include her daughter, Mariam, her grandson, Thomas Boyd Neider, her parents, and Louise Clark, her sister!!

Colleen is survived by her children, Anna Marie Neider (Darryl), Thomas Hunt (Jan) and Barry Hunt (Jessica); grandchildren Natalie Carruth (Dustin), Mark Neider, Dallas Hunt, Cole Hunt, Mariella Hunt, Christian Hunt and Sam Hunt; her great grandchildren Jackson Carruth, William Carruth and Benjamin Carruth; and her siblings, Harry Boley and Mike Boley.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4921 N Mitchell St, Boise, Idaho. Friends and family may call at 9:00 a.m., with the family prayer being held at 9:45 a.m. Interment will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.