- Date Of Birth: October 3, 1934
- Date Of Death: October 6, 2014
- State: Idaho
Colleen Joyce Clay-Calhoun, age 80, passed after a long battle with COPD and Emphysema.
Colleen was born on October 3, 1934 in Lebanon, South Dakota as the only child to Lyle and Irene Voight Clay. Due to her father’s job Colleen traveled throughout the country, finally settling in Meridian, Idaho.
Colleen married Chuck Hodges in 1954 which produced two sons, Stephen (Rita) Calhoun, and Phillip (Linda) Calhoun. They later divorced, but after years of being a single parent in the 60’s she met John Calhoun ad became a bonus mom to his four children, Sandy (Jay) Scanlan, Judy Calhoun, Todd (Gaile) Calhoun, and Terry (Dan) Phillips. After marrying John he adopted her two boys and became their “Dad.”
John and Colleen ran the only licensed Grade A Goat Dairy in Idaho for many years, educating and meeting people from all over the world. They also were foster parents to several children and opened their home to foreign exchange students.
In the past 25 years Colleen became a successful Realtor who developed lifelong friends and clients.
Colleen’s true passion has always been animals. Grandma Clay always said she was never sure what kind of animal Colleen would have brought home to nurse back to health. In the last few years her dog Shitzu Saddie has been at her side.
Even though COPD was taking away her physical abilities, her mind was sharp until the last few days. She had hoped to take an African Safari and recently realized this would not happen.
She also leaves behind four grandsons; Jeff (Angela), Craig (Jasmin), Cliff (Katie), and Nick and one granddaughter, Jennifer (Zach) Newsom, as well as six great-grandchildren; Chance, Jakin, Elliot, Londyn, Dominic, and Taylor.
Colleen is preceded in death by her husband John just 6 months earlier, her parents Lyle and Irene Clay, and several aunts, uncles, cousins and twin granddaughters.
