In Passing – May 2024

Laurie Colen

Lorelie “Laurie” Ruth Colen (nee Yaffe) of HOA 1 in SaddleBrooke passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 23 after a brief illness.

Born Dec. 5, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Laurie retained her strong regional accent, much to the delight of her grandchildren.

It was in Brooklyn that she met her husband of 65 years, Donald Colen, marrying in December 1958. This union would result in the birth of two sons: Andrew in 1961, followed two years later by Gary.

The family moved shortly thereafter to Centerport, Long Island, where, after raising the boys, Laurie returned to college, graduating from CW Post with honors. She went on to a challenging, yet highly rewarding 21-year career with Child Protective Care, starting as a case worker before becoming an advocate in court for children.

From 1973-74, the family lived in Israel during Donald’s year-long sabbatical from teaching in NYC, where they survived the Yom Kippur War.

Upon retiring, Donald and Laurie relocated to SaddleBrooke, arriving in their new home on the fateful day of September 11, 2001.

Laurie quickly made SaddleBrooke her home, immersing herself in local clubs and organizations, including the Jewish Friendship Group, for which she served as President and Treasurer; Friends of the SaddleBrooke Libraries, for which she served as President and on the membership committee; as well as the Hispanic Culture Group, serving as Vice President.

Active travelers, Laurie and Don participated in 33 home exchanges around the world, and spent the last 10 summers (minus Covid time) in Basel, Switzerland, visiting their younger expat son and beloved grandsons.

Laurie was born with the gift of gab. She also had an immense heart, an ever-present smile, and a knack for forging lifelong friendships wherever she went.

In addition to her husband, sons, and grandsons, Dash and Theo, Laurie is survived by her sister, Deborah, and daughter-in-law, Dianne.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Laurie’s name to Friends of the SaddleBrooke Libraries.

Jack Ronald Lockman

The last few years of Jack Lockman’s life were filled with love for his wife, Dianne Ashby, his daughter, Kris (Lockman) Brown, and his granddaughter, McKenna Brown. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Alan Brown, and half-brother, Robert Hall. On March 22, 2024, Jack died peacefully and gently at home in SaddleBrooke, his favorite of the places he lived.

Jack was born Sept. 21,1939. His 85th birthday, Sept. 21, 2024, is also the date of the marriage of his granddaughter, McKenna, to Michael Romanelli. His most fervent wish was to be there, and who knows, perhaps his spirit will be.

Despite his childhood spent in foster homes and orphanage type institutions, Jack developed a strong work ethic, a keen sense of right and wrong, an appreciation of family, and an outsized sense of humor. People knew when Jack was in the room (or the pool!). Children were drawn to him and his magic tricks. He loved competition, running track, playing basketball and later softball, golfing until his body wore down, swimming, and playing cards with friends and family.

After graduating from high school at 17, Jack spent more than six years in the Navy, traveling the world, including Vietnam. His career in electronics included stints at IBM, an audiology company, an electric utility, and the State of Illinois. Work, for Jack, was a means of supporting life’s pleasures, especially extensively traveling both the United States and abroad. Once he could no longer travel, Jack bought his dream convertible and used it, top down, to do all the household shopping while basking in the Arizona sunshine.

There’s no way to effectively sum up the life of a great personality who was also the guy who did what needed to be done, while searching for ways to make it fun. Life around Jack could be a whirlwind, and anyone in his wake knew they had been for a ride and a laugh. Those closest to him knew they had been well loved.

Those who wish to honor Jack through a donation may send a check to: Illinois State University Advancement, Ashby Lockman Family Scholarship for Future Special Educators, c/o Joy Hutchcraft, Illinois State University, Campus Box 3200, Normal, IL 61790.

Brandon Eudeen Webb

Brandon Eudeen Webb was born on Dec. 10, 1976 in Rochester, Mich., and passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2024, in his adopted home state of Arizona. He was 47 years old.

Brandon grew up in Metro Detroit, Mich., and later made his home in Catalina, Ariz. He was a huge music lover, an avid collector of Pixies memorabilia, and a musician himself—a guitarist and singer like his Papa Campbell. He fronted the band Lahzi Daze in Detroit and later founded his touring band, Carnuba, in Prescott, Ariz.

Brandon was also a visual artist, starting his visual arts career in Prescott, specializing in murals and faux finishing. He decided to take his design interests further and study Interior Design at The Art Institute of Tucson, where he graduated with honors, Alpha Beta Kappa, in 2015, earning his B.A. in Interior Design.

After graduation, he owned and operated his own successful interior design firm, The Artful Space in Oro Valley, Ariz. He served many clients throughout the state, using his design talents to help his clients turn their houses into dream homes.

Brandon loved adventuring and snuggling with his son, Jonah, and his favorite part of the day was taking him to school. He also loved his childhood stuffy (Sugarpuss), listening to the Pixies, making fun of his mom, and hiking with his family.

Brandon relished playing practical jokes, BBQing, having taco Tuesdays with his family, eating pistachios and drinking V8, detailing his car or cleaning house while listening to more Pixies, and chatting it up with his sister after a long day.

He held a passion for gardening, tending to his chickens and goats (and making sure everyone knew how many farm fresh eggs he had), botany, geology, design, home and yard projects, any opportunity to wear his Campbell kilt, skateboarding, and again, the Pixies.

Brandon was a generous and tender person, filled with so much talent, laughter, and love. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by many.

Brandon was preceded in death by his father, Ron Webb; his papa and grandma, Frank and Sheila Campbell; his grandfather and grandmother, Willie and Helen Webb; his aunt, Karen Ladendorf; and one of his closest pals, Marty Love.

Brandon was survived by his wife Lara, his son Jonah, who he loved so deeply and tenderly, and Jonah’s three half-siblings who Brandon also loved and provided for; his mother Kim and stepdad Herb, his sister Shenyah, her husband Rick, and their children Zenikaya and Tigerlilly; His stepmom Anita and step-siblings Vince and Michelle; his stepbrothers Evan and Ethan; and a host of loving relatives and friends far and wide.

His Celebration of Life was hosted in Tucson, Ariz., on May 4. For more information, please reach out to [email protected].