Colleen Patricia Loewen

Colleen Patricia Loewen (Jurgens), born on October 5, 1950 in Seattle, WA passed away peacefully in her husband’s arms at her home on Camano Island, WA Saturday, May 27, 2017. Funeral chapel and graveside services will be held at Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood, WA at 1pm on June 11, 2017.

Colleen, a dedicated orchestra teacher, an accomplished cellist and a loving mother and wife, had a ready smile and loving heart which changed and influenced all who knew her.

Her formative years were in the Edmonds/Lynnwood area where she graduated from Meadowdale High School in 1968. She played cello in the Meadowdale orchestra and won the Arion Award for Orchestra (best high school orchestra member). She continued her education at Western Washington State College (University) where she graduated with a Music Education BA degree in 1972. In 1983 she furthered her education by earning a MME (Master of Music Education) degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR.

Colleen taught Orchestra in the public school system for 41 years. She initially taught in the Edmonds School District from 1972 to 1976. In 1976 she moved to Fairbanks, AK where she taught until 1980, then moved to Newberg, OR and taught until 1987. In 1987, Colleen moved back to the Edmonds area where she taught until she retired in 2013. In 2014, Colleen and her husband moved to Camano Island. Colleen left behind a legacy of good will and loving wishes with

everyone she knew.

Colleen was a cello playing member of many Orchestras and musical groups throughout the years. From 1972 to 1976 she played in the Cascade Symphony Orchestra. While in Fairbanks from 1976 to 1980, she performed with the University of Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and the Arctic Chamber Orchestra. While living in Newberg from 1980 to 1987, she played with the Palatine Hill Symphony Orchestra, as well as played for some Portland Operas such as The Barber of Seville, and for two years with the Oregon Symphony. When she returned to the Edmonds Area, she reconnected with the Cascade Syphony for several years as well as becoming the cellist for the Northwest String Quartet from 2002 to 2013. In 2015 and 2016, Colleen played with the Trio by the Sea. In 2002, she went on a European tour with the Southwest Chamber Orchestra and in 2015, the University of Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra invited her to join them to play in a music festival in South Korea.

In 2008, ORBO and the Longshots won a Norwegian Grammy (Spellemann) for the album titled “High Roller.” The Northwest String Quartet provided back up music and received a Grammy.

Colleen grew up in the Edmonds/Lynnwood area with her parents John August Jurgens and Patricia Mary Jurgens (Bridges). She had one brother, Scott John Jurgens and one sister, Anita Leanna Miranda (Jurgens).

Colleen met her husband, Michael Dean Loewen, in Fairbanks AK on November 24, 1976. They never left their sides as it was a match made in heaven. They were married on December 18, 1977 at the Edmonds Yacht Club in Edmonds, WA. They had two daughters, Sara Lane Lovell (Loewen), married to John Lovell and Tess Ashley Wills (Loewen) married to Ben Wills. Sara and Tess both have children of their own. Colleen accepted Mike’s son Casey Matthew Loewen (Married to Cecille Mapanao) as her own who also had children. Sara’s children are Robert, Luke, and Patrick. Tess’s children are Michae, Zachariah and Ashleigh. Casey’s children are Cash, David and Keena.

Colleen loved morning walks while counting the “bunnies” and watching the eagles fly overhead. She loved animals and going to the zoo with her grandchildren. One of Colleen’s favorite songs Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini was used in her favorite movie “Somewhere in Time”. Her favorite Cellist was Janos Starker. She loved the color of red; her favorite flowers were red carnations. Colleen loved to ask “Do you hear the cellos?” when a piece of classical music is playing. She loved to smile, laugh, tell jokes and at times was considered a stand-up comedians best friend. She loved to read, travel, socialize and attend musicals and symphonies. Colleen loved life and all it had to offer.

Her favorite quip for her husband was “my darling Mikey!” while his was “my lovely wife Colleen!” And she ALWAYS said goodbye to her daughters with “Mommy Loves You!” Colleen absolutely loved her family from the depths of her heart and will be missed by us all immensely.