Colleen Jean Carter, 65

Colleen Jean Carter passed away at home Tuesday, March 11, from complications of cancer. She was 65 years old.

Colleen is survived by her husband, Ken Carter; her daughter, Katie Barbera; her sister, Lisa McEwan; and her two granddaughters, Helena Fornasier and Rebecca Snow. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Yvonne McEwan; her sisters, Victoria Valentin and Susanne Hutchinson; and her first husband, Ben McBride Jr. 

Colleen was born April 1, 1959. She lived in many different places around the United States throughout her life. In 1982, she met and married the first love of her life, Ben McBride Jr., in California, where Katie was born in 1986. In 2018, she moved to North Idaho where she met the second love of her life, Ken Carter. Ken and Colleen were married in Coeur d’Alene on Aug. 15, 2020. 

Colleen enjoyed cooking and baking as well as being a homemaker, finding the opportunity to create a loving space for her family. She had a lifelong love of music of many kinds, ranging from jazz to classical to country. She loved theater and musicals as well. Colleen was happiest when she was singing. She participated in many community choirs from church choirs to more formal productions including Verde Valley Voices and Coeur d’Alene Chorale. Colleen had a great love of the outdoors, including expanding her horizons by walking through numerous forested parcels with Ken and their dog, Daisy. There, she appreciated natural beauty in trees, landscapes and flowers of all kinds.

A memorial service for Colleen will be held Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m. at Coffelt Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho, with reception to follow at the Sandpoint VFW Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations on behalf of Colleen can be made to Community Cancer Services in Sandpoint. 

Family and friends are invited to sign Colleen’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.