Ilene Theresa Capoeman Colegrove
March 22, 1950 – August 31, 2023

Ilene Colegrove was an enrolled member of the Quinault Indian Nation, as well as a Tribal Elder. She was born on March 22, 1950, in Aberdeen, Washington to Stanley Capoeman Sr., and Jacqueline Jean (Simmons) Capoeman.

Ilene was a quiet, sweet, humble, creative, and hard-working lady. She grew up along the Quinault River in Washington state and attended Taholah Grade School and Moclips High School.

Ilene was the eldest of ten children. She took on the role of caring for her younger siblings when she was 10 years of age with the passing of her mother, and 6 years later after a tragic drowning accident and the loss of her father and young sister, Ilene fought, to no avail, to keep her siblings together. Unable to keep her siblings together, she moved to California.

Ilene married Lionel Colegrove in August of 1967, and they were near celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when he passed in 2017. Together they were an enormous influence in young people’s lives. Lonnie was a Ceremonial Dance Leader of the Me Dil Din Village and worked diligently to bring back the ceremonial brush dance to that village in the 1970s, Ilene worked right beside Lonnie and was for years the sole head cook for the dance camp which is no easy feat even with a host of helpers. Ilene was Lionel’s right-hand person in everything he accomplished. He coached girls’ softball, taught young males to play sticks, and mentored nephews, all whom they both had special bonds with. Ilene set a prime example for young people to follow with her kind and gentle demeanor. Ilene wove Hoopa style baskets, made crocheted caps and Christmas ornaments, created beautiful beadwork, and hand-tool stamped flowers and designs onto leather belts. Ilene favored listening to music by Little Big Town and other artists, and especially liked the song “Girl Crush.” She loved a good cup of tea and made the best candied apples and popcorn balls for Halloween. She had a special little furry companion, a dog named Allie.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lionel Colegrove, mother Jacqueline, father Stanley Capoeman Sr, sister Freda Lynn Capoeman, brother Stanley Capoeman Jr, and stepmother Leah Crossguns, maternal grandmother Theresa Underwood Capoeman, maternal grandfather Joseph Capoeman, paternal grandmother Edna Lane Ebling, and paternal grandfather Jack John Simmons.

Ilene is survived by her sisters; Helen Jones (Dallan), Henrietta Sharp, Stephanie Capoeman, and Mabel Running Fisher (James). Stepbrothers; Douglas “Muncie” Osborne, Ramone Osborne, and stepsister; Iralene Osborne. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family members.

There will be a viewing 1-4 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023, Paul’s Chapel, Arcata, before Ilene’s final journey to her homelands.

There will be a candlelight service 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, September 12, and funeral service at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 13 at Coleman’s Chapel, Hoquiam, Wash.. Graveside will be at Sunset Memorial, Hoquiam, Wash., and a dinner shortly following at the Taholah Community Center, Taholah, Wash.

Arrangements are by Paul’s Chapel, Arcata, and Coleman Mortuary, Hoquiam.

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ilene Colegrove’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.