Colleen Tidwell

Colleen Lisa Tidwell (nee Palmer)

February 17, 1965 — June 9, 2026

Colleen Lisa Tidwell, 61, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, grace, and service.

Born on February 17, 1965, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Garth and Maisie Palmer, Colleen was the seventh of nine children. She grew up in Calgary, Montreal, and Houston, and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She later moved to Arizona, and eventually met the love of her life, Paul Tidwell. They were married for time and eternity in the Ogden, Utah Temple on July 9, 1993.

Paul's career as a football coach took them from Ephraim, Utah to Thatcher, Arizona, then to Ruston, Louisiana, and ultimately to Orem, Utah in 2001, where they settled and raised their family. Through every move, Colleen was Paul's devoted and loving partner and the team’s most loyal fan. Rain, snow, or shine, she could be found in the stands cheering for Paul and the BYU Cougars.

Above all, Colleen’s greatest joy in life was being with her husband, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. She was a true example of unconditional love and absolute devotion to family. She talked about them with enormous pride and loved sharing stories and pictures.

Colleen rarely stayed still for long. Her love of travel kept her and Paul on the move, most often to wherever family was. Whether in Utah, Arizona, California, North Carolina, or Hawaii, she was always ready for the next adventure. When she wasn’t traveling, she loved being active, and could be found on long walks, the golf course, or a pickleball court.

She was an extraordinary cook, forever hunting down the perfect ingredients or trying out new recipes. You couldn’t walk through her front door without being offered an amazing snack or slice of warm, fresh bread. She loved to care for people and their home welcomed everyone.

Colleen will be remembered as a loyal and devoted friend. She nurtured enduring relationships and always made time for the people she cared about. No matter how busy life became, she made everyone know they were a priority. She made each person in her life feel valued, and her warmth lives on in those who know her.

She had a deep love for the Savior and a commitment to her faith, serving others through different church callings.

She was a living example of grace, compassion, and service. No matter what challenges came her way, she met them with resilience, gratitude, and an unselfish commitment to others. She faithfully trusted her Savior throughout her life.

Colleen is already deeply missed. Her humor, kindness, and tenderness are the memories her family and friends will carry forward. Her beauty radiated from the inside out. But more than anything, they will remember her constant love and support, shown through every word and deed.

Colleen is lovingly remembered by her husband Paul; her sons, Kyle (Alexandra Mull) Hamilton and Tyler (Makenzie) Hamilton; their daughter, McKenna (Jacob) Rittmanic; her stepchildren, Sunnie (Lorin) Cummings, Colten (Katie) Tidwell, Cy (Whitney) Tidwell, and Dane (Carly) Tidwell; their 24 grandchildren, two expected grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; her siblings, Kathy (Eric) Leavitt, Kevin (Cyndi) Palmer, Karen (Ross) Salmon, Blaine (Linda) Palmer, Leslie Palmer, Donna Palmer, and David (Amy) Palmer; as well as countless beloved family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Garth and Maisie Palmer; her brother Darren; and her great-nephew Jack Guess, all with whom she is now joyfully reunited.

Until we meet again. You are ever loved and missed.

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Funeral Services will be held at:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Saratoga South Stake Centre
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 11:00am
Address: 2947 S Swainson Avenue, Saratoga Springs, Utah 84045

A visitation with family will be held prior to the service from 9:30 - 10:45am.

A graveside service and interment will follow at 1:00pm at Orem City Cemetery, 1200 North 910 East, Orem, Utah, 84057 where Colleen will be laid to rest.

Live streaming of the funeral service will be available. Please check Colleen’s obituary page for details: https://nelsonmortuary.com/obituaries/colleen-tidwell