Colleen Glendening

On June 17th, 2022, Colleen Stacey Williams Glendening departed this world unexpectedly and was embraced into the arms of our Lord &
Savior, Jesus Christ. Though we mourn her passing, we rejoice in the promise of everlasting life and yearn to join her with the chorus of angels to glorify our Father in Heaven.

Colleen was born in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada on October 23rd, 1968 and was born to Harvey & Maureen Williams; she was the second of
three children. As her father, Harvey, served faithfully in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Colleen was afforded the opportunity to explore Canada in all of its beauty. After graduating from high school, Colleen made the decision to explore new lands and opportunities in the United States. Having accepted a position in New York City, Colleen ventured from the countryside via railway on a daily basis. These daily commutes would later prove to be an act of divine providence as she would be led to Robert Glendening, her soon-to-be best friend. What initially began as a two-hour conversation among acquaintances blossomed into a promising marriage filled with love and admiration for one another. Their covenant began at the First Presbyterian Church in Washingtonville, New York. In marriage, Colleen devoted her energy to Bob’s three children: Jimmy, Morgan, and Kristin. Knowing that his children endured emotional scars from a broken marriage, Colleen worked tirelessly to mend their wounds with unwavering love and compassion. Her capacity for maternal love was best demonstrated fulfilling her role of an adoptive mother to Kubendran Palani, Devayani Muthuselvam, Robert Steed, and Joyce Stewart.

A champion of the faith, Colleen devoted her life to the Gospel and empowered her brothers and sisters to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Since 2012, Colleen attended South Mountain Community Church (SMCC) in Draper, Utah. Colleen believed something special always took place when people broke bread together with Jesus at the center. Colleen had a gifting for ministering to women. She empowered, supported and was a great listener. Colleen shared her faith powerfully, often without saying a word.

A lifelong learner, Colleen was a graduate of Central Collegiate Institute of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Colleen was a steadfast and loyal employee who worked for Idea Nuova since 2002. At the time of her death, she was their Director of Licensing while simultaneously pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Liberty University. She was less than a year away from receiving her diploma and had a 4.0 GPA.

One of Colleen’s favorite seasons in life was her three years living in England. She was a huge fan and follower of all things to do with English Royalty. She regularly would go to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and was gob smacked at the opportunity to be on the parade route for Princess Kate and Prince William’s wedding. Colleen loved to travel. During their time in England, Colleen and Bob time traveled to Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Poland, and Scotland.

It’s important to mention that Colleen loved fishing, but this was not something Bob liked to do together. Colleen regularly caught more, and
bigger fish and it became a bone of contention. She also loved watching baseball. We will all miss her Christmas letter and Christmas
cookies.

The quiet impact she made spans continents. Colleen went on multiple short-term missions to India. She was a generous supporter of the Hope
Gardens India ministry (Cumbum, Tamil Nadu) an indigenous outreach to the ‘least of these’ – India’s lowest caste. She had a big heart for the
Indian people. Colleen took orphans into her home on a regular basis. She worked behind the scenes and felt uncomfortable with any kind of
recognition. Colleen leveraged her faith to help transform lives through kindness, compassion and generosity.

Those left behind find solace that she is reunited with those she loved including her mother, Maureen Williams; mother-in-law Bonnie Glendening; nephew Ryan Williams and adopted son, Robert Steed. As Psalm 34:18 reads, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” The brokenhearted survivors include her beloved husband, Bob Glendening, her father Harvey Williams, sister, Sherry Hutt (husband, Ed, children, Daniel and granddaughter Laila Carruthers); brother Vance Williams (partner, Megan Smetzer, daughter Lily). Her step-children James Glendening (wife Rylee, daughter Ivy), Morgan Glendening, Kristin Newman (husband Jeremy) and adopted children: Kuby, Devayani and Joyce. Her father-in-law, Dr. James Glendening, sisters-in- law Tracy Kelleher (husband Mike, children Rebecca and Andrew); Lisa Glendening (daughter Emma), Jill Glendening Guillet (fiancé John Coombes, children Cyrus, Sylvia and Henry), Erin Bellomo (children
Karsyn, Lanza and Gradyn) and Jaime Robinson (husband James, children Seumas, Beitris and Bonnie) as well as her beloved pets, Harry and William.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Colleen embodied this love, and we are blessed and changed for the better having known her love. Her
legacy is not fleeting, it is generational and will continue to live on through those to whom she ministered, mentored and loved. To honor her life, we encourage you to serve your loved ones and give your love freely.

Those who wish to provide gifts to continue her work with Hope Gardens India, or assisting people in need of benevolence can do so by visiting:
https://smccevents.churchcenter.com/giving/to/draper-general-giving-fund

Select the “Benevolence” or “India 2022” from the dropdown. These are two causes Colleen loved. If you have difficulties making a donation on the website please contact Karen Vassar karen.vassar@smccutah.org

Additionally, a special memorial fund has been set up for Colleen here: https://everymanawarrior.com/colleen_glendening/memoriam.html

A Celebration of Life will take place tomorrow, Thursday, June 23rd at 7:00pm Mountain Time / 9:00pm Eastern Time at South Mountain Community Church- Draper Campus. The address is: 14216 Bangerter Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020.