Coleen Robinson Varvel was born April 14, 1924 in Boise Idaho. Her father was Russell Orin Robinson who is killed in an auto accident when Coleen was five. Coleen was raised by her mother, Zelma Irene Robinson. Coleen initially went to St. Margaret's Hall Private School where she started her musical and dance training but it closed after two years so she continued her education at Longfellow Public School for the next five years where she additionally played softball and track in addition to her dance training. In eighth grade, Coleen started Boise Junior High School where she was active in tumbling, dancing and chorus and was an all schoolgirls representative. New Year's Eve 1938 she met the boy who would become her husband nine years later, Jay Varvel.

See went on to Boise high school where she kept up with her music and became a cheerleader. World War II had been on seven months when she graduated, so the day after graduation she went to work for Mountain States Telephone Company is a draftsperson. She left Mountain States in 1941 and went to work as a PBX operator receptionist for the first security Bank of Idaho. During the war she volunteered with the Red Cross rolling bandages and the USO serving coffee and doughnuts to troops as they went through Boise.

Coleen and Jay had been sweethearts all through high school. Jay came home after three years in the Pacific in November, 1945 and Christmas 1945 they were married in the Pasco Episcopal Church. Jay went to work for DuPont and they immediately became involved in their new home. They chaperoned at the "Hi Spot" teenage club. Within a few months, C was hired by the junior Chamber of Commerce become the first paid director of the Hi Spot Club. At the time Coleen became active in both Beta Sigma Phi and she served on the advisory committee for the first adult evening school in Richland.

In 1950 she became chairman of the Benton County Red Cross. She served on the committee to form the first Humane Society in 1957 and is a life member.

Coleen was on the committee to form the Fine Arts Council, was the first program manager of the Dancer's Guild. In 1953 she started a 15-year love with the Richland Light Opera and had a lead or danced or choreographed 15 shows, including him the first Nutcracker in the Tri-Cities 1954. See danced into army Hanford variety shows. See was a member of the Richland Philharmonic and she taught two years adult night school for the ballet. She also served on the Richland Opera board.

In 1966, Jay and Coleen moved to Hawaii and enjoyed the many cultural things Hawaii had to offer. Coleen and Jay moved back to the mainland to Bellevue where she choreographed to shows for Bellevue High School. Coleen worked with Seattle College Children's Theater, was a member of the Belfry Playhouse. She also worked one year in Kirkland Hospital as a pharmacist technician.

Ajay and Coleen returned to the Tri-Cities where she choreographed to show for Kennewick High School. She worked for the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau for two years and became involved in the first wine festival, with Jay and see finding a new love in wine.

Jay and Coleen became close friends with the Preston family; owners of Preston Winery and worked on wine festivals for 15 years as well as doing special events for Preston Winery.

In 1984, Jay and Coleen represented the Prestons at the International Wine and Spirits Competition Awards and Banquet held in the Memphis Dining room House of Commons in London. Jay and Coleen took the opportunity while in England to visit France, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland.

Late in the 1980s, Jay renewed his association with the military so calling and J made a whole new group of friends especially the Dodds and Brookshire's, who were of great help to see after Jay's death.

In 1998, a dream was fulfilled when the Collings World War II bombers came to the Tri-Cities the next few years.

Coleen and her new flying friend Julia Rinear spent many hours helping the crews each year. Coleen flew in the B-24, the B-17 and the B-25 many times. In 2008 and 2010 she was allowed to take the controls of the P-51 Mustang. In June 2008, Coleen lost her love, Jay, after 62 years of marriage. Coleen's friends and neighbors gathered around and helped her through this difficult time. Sadie, her rescued Shid Tzu, was her constant and loving companion. Sadie made friends with the golfing ladies of Meadow Springs and this brought a new friend to Colleen.

In March, 2015 Sadie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Colleen thanked and continues to thank Bella, Miko for the doggy love so Colleen didn't miss Sadie so much.

Coleen wanted to express her particular love for Cathy Preston, a friend of 45 years. In addition, Terri Peterson was always doing crazy and wonderful things for Coleen. Julia Rinear, Coleen's flying, caring for doggy buddy. Also special thanks to Dr. Gene and Connie Wong for their constant care and love and always being there when she needed help. Coleen felt it was impossible to express how much Lupe meant to Colleen and how much Lupe did for Colleen; Lupe was very much loved by Coleen.

Coleen asked that any donations you wish to give should be given to Mikey's Chance Canine Rescue, the Benton Franklin Humane Society or the Jay and Colleen Varvel Sadie's Endowment Fund at Washington State University in Pullman.