In Loving Memory of Colleen Craven Pinegar

February 17, 1928 – July 28, 2026

Colleen Craven Pinegar, age 98, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, at Legacy Village, Provo, Utah. Born on February 17, 1928, in Provo, Utah, Colleen was the beloved daughter of Clyde E. Craven and Irva Ann Barrett, and sister to her late brother, Richard Craven. She grew up in Provo surrounded by a loving family.

On September 13, 1946, Colleen married the love of her life, James J. Pinegar. They would have been married a remarkable 80 years in September. Their devotion to each other is a true testament of a lifetime of mutual love and unity. Together, Jim and Colleen raised their family in Orem, Utah, creating a home filled with faith, hard work, and love.

A Dedicated Mother and Homemaker

Mom was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother. She was devoted to her posterity and loved cooking and sewing for them. She took great joy in nurturing her family, teaching all of her daughters the essential arts of cooking and sewing, and guiding her son in the fine attributes of becoming a true gentleman. Mom made bread almost every week until she was 95 years old. Mom’s cinamon sugar toast, made with her homemade bread, and chocolate milk was a favorite for grandchildren.

Mom was a wonderful seamstress. She made most of our clothes along with backpacks and tents for scouting. She was the go-to person for mending and alterations, especially Levis, among her grandchildren. As children, each Christmas, we could hear the sewing machine humming late into the night and the pounding of a hammer for the snaps on our new flannel nightgowns and pjs.

Mom was a lifelong learner interested in art, architecture, literature, birds, painting, singing in choirs, book clubs and participation in school PTAs. She gave up her dream of going to college to raise her five small children. She was a fantastic writing coach and homework assistant. She was sincerely interested in our school projects, science fairs and sporting events. Mom was the ultimate sports fan. She followed many popular players whether college or professional, in a variety sports: football, basketball, tennis, golf, track and field, etc. She LOVED to talk about the athletes and their accomplishments.

She was blessed with five children; James Craven (Kristine) Pinegar; Susan (Craig) Jones; Karen (Scott) Smith; Kay (Doug) Clark; Linda (Tom) Whitaker.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, David Craven Pinegar.

Mom was also a mother to Dolly Dokey Shirley, a student from the Navajo Nation, who lived with us to attend school at age 13. Mom and Dad made Dolly an important part of our family and over the years they have continued to stay involved in the lives of Dolly and her family.

A Life of Faithful Service

Mom’s life was defined by a deep devotion to her faith and a lifetime of dedicated service within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities including ward and stake Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary Presidents.

Following Jim’s retirement from US Steel Geneva Works, he was employed by the Church as the Director of Temporal Affairs, over the South Pacific Area that took them to live in beautiful Hawaii. Following this, Jim and Colleen served two full-time missions together:

• Salt Lake City Genealogy Mission: Serving as Mission Leaders, a wonderful assignment where they formed many enduring, lifelong friendships.
• Salt Lake City Church Service Mission: Serving as Mission Leaders, tasked with implementing Service Missions at the stake level throughout the Church.

Working side by side with Dad, these church assignments were among the happiest and most fulfilling times of her life.

Mom was a great geneologist and historian. She wrote many histories of her ancestors that greatly benefitted her extended family in getting to know their ancestors. Mom and Dad worked at the temple together for many years and found great happiness there. They have spent many, many hours singing together from their favorite hymns, and songs like, “You are my Sunshine”, and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. Singing together was an important part of every day life and brought peace, joy and comfort to them both. We know that Dad will miss holding her hand and singing with her.

A Tribute from a Loving Husband

(Excerpts from the diary of James J. Pinegar)

February 14, 1984 – Valentine’s Day: My sweetheart gave me a card with popcorn pictures on it and sent popcorn to work with me, my favorite snack. I gave her three carnations last night. We are in love. We are kind and gentle with each other. She is a beautiful spirit and lovely to look at, delightful to be with. How blessed I am, how much I owe to my Heavenly Father for this sweet woman. All is well.

June 11, 1984 – Colleen is happy and brings joy to me as she is outgoing and radiant. She lifts me with her bubbling enthusiasm. She is a dear, sweet, beautiful companion, lovely to look at and delightful to be with. I thank Heavenly Father for her constantly. I tell Colleen I love her many time each day. I try to show her my love. It is a joy to be here with her.

November 25, 1984 – Colleen wore a plum-colored dress today. She is a beautiful, pretty, talented, sweet, wonderful companion. I tell her I love her many times a day. I washed the dishes and vacuumed yesterday to try to help her.

Mother was greatly loved, deeply admired, and will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.

Funeral Services

Date Saturday, August 15, 2026

Visitation 9:00am – 10:00am

Family Prayer 10:00am

Funeral Service 10:30am

Location 481 East Center Street, Orem, Cascade Stake Center