Colleen Christensen Greaves September 15, 1933 - October 5, 2017 Colleen Christensen Greaves passed away Thursday, October 5, 2017 of natural causes and complications of Alzheimer's. She was born September 15, 1933 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Chester Wayne Christensen and Bernice Taylor, 2nd oldest of 4 children. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. This is where she met her future husband, John Greaves unknowingly while he was serving his mission in Michigan. After John completed his missionary service he had to go find her at BYU where she had been attending for 2 years. She and John Ray Greaves from Preston, Idaho were then married in the Logan, Utah temple on October 30th, 1953. For the last 64 years, Colleen has been the love of his life and he has been the love of her life. They made an awesome team. We, her children can never remember a time when they even had a quarrel or cross word with each other. She was blessed to be a stay at home mom raising their 7 children, 6 girls and 1 boy. Above all, she was a devoted mother and was constantly working to make our house a beautiful home and filling it with more than just furniture and accessories. Her home was full of a welcoming, loving and kind spirit that ensured all who entered felt comfortable and welcome. Her heart like the front door of her home was always open and welcoming to all! That is why it was always a pleasure to invite and bring our friends into our home. By example, she taught each one of us diligence and hard work, how to clean, maintain and to take good care of our things. When her 6th child, Pam was born, they found out she was hydrocephalic which required years of many trips to and hours in the hospital waiting through multiple surgeries. She devoted much time and energy to her daughter Pam's life. Her devotion to Pam provided a Christlike example that has left an eternal impression and impact upon each member of our family! Pam was the poster child for March of Dimes for 2 years which required even more hours of extra effort, getting her ready for pictures, driving to places for events where Pam would represent the March of Dimes great cause. She was so very proud of Pam and delighted in supporting and caring for her. Colleen has been active in the Church and dedicated to the Gospel everyday of her life! She served in many callings and in the Relief Society as a teacher and twice as president. She and John were perfect together. They made a powerful and positive team, complimenting each other's strengths in an ideal way. They were anxious and willingly served 2 fulltime missions together. Toronto, Canada and Squim, Washington. They thoroughly loved their companionship and service as missionaries. Colleen possessed a strong and unique spiritual gift of empathy for others. Always willing and looking to help in any way she could, constantly volunteering to assist and lend a hand! She made certain that our home was open to anyone in need and would graciously invite them in. She loved to entertain and was famous for her delicious and appetizing desserts! Colleen and John had a special group of life-long friends and made special effort to gather often for all types of activities from bowling to family vacations. These friendships have lasted throughout her lifetime. Never would you hear an unkind word from her about anyone! And never a complaint about John and his long hours in the evenings selling Insurance for New York Life. He worked this business for over 30 years, his great success was in large part because of her constant love and 110% support. Mom always noticed and made mention of the beauty of nature and the world around her, the trees, their blossoms and the flowers. The small and simple pleasures thrilled her. She loved playing the piano for enjoyment and loved music. We are eternally grateful to our Heavenly Father for the music, the love, laughter and joy that our beloved mother, wife and friend Colleen so generously shared with us and has left with us. Thanks be to God for blessing us to know, love and live with such a valiant soul! Colleen is survived by her husband John and her children; Jeanine Cowley, Sheri Johnson, Sue Helsten, Murray Greaves, Carol Merrick, Pam Greaves, Lisa Hayes and their 29 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Mark Christensen and two of her grandchildren, Talia Cowley Graham and Cory Helsten. A viewing will be held Saturday Oct. 7, 2017 at the chapel located at 620 E Heather Rd. in Orem, Utah from 1-2pm. The memorial service will be held at 2pm at that same location, for those who would like to attend. We want to thank all those who cared for her especially these last several weeks; Timp Hospital staff, Tender Care Hospice Service and the Walker Sanderson Mortuary staff.