Sharlene Joyce Colton

Salina , Utah – Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on April 20, 2016. Sharlene had a smile for everyone and kind words to say. She had a heart the size of Montana. She cared for everyone and everything, as most of you know she was the town cat lady. Never an animal would starve or suffer as long as she was around. She was a wonderful person and loving mother who taught us to be decent and kind, and for that we will be forever grateful. In her later days she was in need of help and support, and as it is said you get by with a little help from your friends. Luckily for my brother and me living so far away, my mom had many friends to help her out and an amazing support system. From her friends, Willie Lou, and Gerda Bodly, Lilly Rosenburg, Karen and Jim Black. to the many neighbors, Heidi and Robert Byrd and their children, Dave Boyce, Dan and Becky Eckert, all of whom jumped in at a moment's notice to help mom and her husband Earl. You have all gone above and beyond, and your acts of kindness will never be forgotten. There were so many people that offered their help, Debbie Jacobson, who came into wash momma’s hair and hold her hand. Janice Olson who cleaned her house and listened to her cat stories. Jan and Shelley and the entire staff at Barretts Grocery who delivered groceries, sometimes numerous times a day when mom would forget something or run out of Cherrios. Frankie who delivered the meals on wheels and always had a smile and a kind word for mom. Mom considered all of you to be her friends. The folks at Zions Home Health, Kathy Jacques, Cheyene, and Lacey. Because of Kathy Jacques caring, the last few months of my mother's life were handled in the best way possible, the gratitude we have for you cannot be measured. Dr. Charlie at North Sevier Clinic who was so patient and caring. The Staff at The Beehive home, Rebecca, Melinda, and all the lovely girls that mom called ma’am. In this world today it is not often you see a town that takes such good care of its own people. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so very much. Sharlene was born July 26, 1934 In Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of Ernest and Arlie Whitaker Olson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving daughter, Joyce Watts, her brothers, Bobby Strout, and Jack Patterson, her step mother, Thelma Olson, Step father Robert Strout, and her granddaughter Angelena. She is survived by her husband, Earl Colton, her son: Paul Petrarca, and his wife Kimberly; her daughter: Valerie Gengras and her husband John; her step children: Sherie and John Brown, Alice and Dennis Congrove, Julie and Mike Webster, Melody and Tom Sundloff; grandchildren: Jon-Paul, Nicholas, Michal Gabrielle, Jason, Dylan, Brooke, Alexxandra, Sarah, Cody, Travis, Shanie, Jenny, DJ, Angelena, Matthew, Kristina, Lisa, Nathan, Chelsea and 35 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Steven Olson, Neil and Carol Olson, Dee, Daren, Ricky, her sisters Kay Olson and Karen and Scott Ogden. Sharlene will be laid to rest in Arkansas surrounded by family. If you would like to pay tribute to Sharlene you can do this by showing an animal kindness. Feed a stray, or just take the time to admire a hummingbird. Sharlene would love this as an act of remembrance for her.