Mother, grandmother, teacher, artist, art patron

Colleen Joyce Farley, beloved mother, grandmother, and long-time Claremont educator, died peacefully in her sleep on August 8 at the age of 92.

Born December 3, 1932 in Fresno, California to Nora and Joseph Long, whose journey from Blueberry, Arkansas to central California began by covered wagon, Colleen was raised on her family’s farm. She married Jack Farley on January 31, 1954, and together they “built a life filled with love, learning, and adventure,” her family shared.

She called Claremont home for more than three decades, working as a substitute teacher at Claremont High School in the 1970s and full-time at Western Christian Schools from 1981 to 2003, where she inspired generations of junior high English students. She was passionate about the arts, both as a creator and a devoted museum-goer, and loved summers by the beach, RV camping in Newport Beach and Mexico.

She is survived by her son, Jason Farley; grandchildren Julia Matulionis, Alex Matulionis, Allexis Farley, and Cheyanne Farley; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Farley; and daughters Kathleen Matulionis and Elisa Farley.