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Jason Henning | Eleanor Haught | Colleen Whealdon-Haught | Gregory Paul Tonks | Robert Haught | |||||
02/21/1976 - 11/26/1976 | 10/17/1926 - 01/02/2009 | 08/08/1978 - 10/04/2009 | 12/18/1956 - 03/06/2015 | 12/21/1925 - 02/20/2019 | |||||
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Just got word from @jimmyriccitello that Colleen Whealdon-Haught passed away last night. Spent time w/ her in Gila this year. May she RIP. Lance Armstrong |
Colleen passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her childhood home in Bellingham on Sunday, October 4. Her courageous battle with breast cancer these past four years is over; she is free from pain and anguish. Colleen was born August 8, 1978, raised in Whatcom County, and graduated from Mt. Baker High School in 1996. She entered the Naval ROTC program at Boston University, graduating magna cum laude in 2000 with degrees in International Relations and Economics. She went on to serve in the US Navy, where she met the love of her life, George Varhola, while both were stationed in Rhode Island. Colleen continued her education, receiving a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Arizona, and practiced corporate law in Tucson at the Lewis and Roca Law Firm. Colleen was a Category Two bicyclist, and even with advanced breast cancer, she was passionate about cycling. Part of her day was to ride her bike fifteen miles to the Cancer Center to receive her chemotherapy; all the while continuing her work as a lawyer, racing, and coaching other cyclists. Most recently she worked to raise money for cancer research for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She was a gardener whose challenge was to create an oasis in the Arizonan desert using native plants. Colleen loved animals small and large, and was a passionate proponent of animal rights. She was particularly active in cat rescue operations! Colleen has always been admired for her fighting spirit, her soft-spoken demeanor and her intense dedication to everything she did; and was loved by everyone who knew her. Colleen is survived by her husband George Varhola and his wonderful family; Colleen and George's cats PolarBear, Grizzles, Panda, Taz, and Jalabert; Colleen's brothers Nick and Daniel, her parents Mary Whealdon and Rob Haught, grandparents Bob Haught, Mildred and Jack Whealdon, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. A celebration of Colleen's life will be held in Tucson at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of America (3465 E. Kleindale Rd. Tucson, Arizona 85716), the Lance Armstrong Foundation Endowment (2201 E. Sixth St. Austin, TX 78702), and/or Whatcom Hospice Foundation (800 Chestnut Street Bellingham, WA 98225). We thank you all for your support and gifts of wonderful meals these past three weeks. Colleen had every gift but the gift of years. We miss you Sweetie!