Colleen Marie DeCarlow

Published 10:45 am Friday, January 10, 2025

Colleen Marie DeCarlow, 91, died peacefully Friday, December 13th after having said her goodbyes to loved ones. She leaves her son David (Linda) of Medford and her grandson Ben (Erin) of Eagle Point. She was preceded in death by Ray, her husband of 63 years and her brother Terry (Diane).

Colleen was born in Hamilton, Montana where she spent her early childhood years. She and her family relocated to Northern California and finally to the Rogue Valley where much of the rest of her family had settled. Colleen met Ray while she was in High School and they married in 1951 just before Ray was drafted into the army and shipped out to Germany during the Korean conflict. After Ray returned from the service, they spent their entire marriage together in Medford, where they had their son David.

Colleen was blessed with a long, fulfilling life. Ray and Colleen enjoyed taking road trips up and down the West Coast and especially loved the beaches of the Oregon Coast. They camped all over Southern Oregon with friends and family. Colleen also coaxed Ray into taking a couple “big” trips, one to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary and a second to the Caribbean. They loved holiday celebrations, family get-togethers and enjoyed “date nights” (dinner and a movie) throughout their golden years. You couldn’t really know Colleen without knowing Ray.

At her request no formal service is planned. Colleen will join Ray at the Veteran Cemetery in Eagle Point. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial donations be made to Asante’s Hospice and Palliative Care in her name.