Daughter Remembers Mother Killed In Moore Workplace Attack

Nearly two weeks after an attack at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma, the daughter of one victim shared memories of her mother during a news conference Wednesday morning.

Wednesday, October 8th 2014, 12:25 pm

By: News 9


Nearly two weeks after an attack at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma, the daughter of one victim shared memories of her mother during a news conference Wednesday morning.

On September 25, Alton Nolen, who had been suspended from Vaughan Foods, beheaded 54-year-old Colleen Hufford and stabbed 43-year-old Traci Johnson. Hufford was pronounced dead at the scene. Johnson was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Nolen has been charged with first-degree murder, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held at the Cleveland County Jail without bond.

9/30/14 Related Story: Charges Filed Against Suspect In Moore Workplace Beheading

On Wednesday, October 8, nearly two weeks after the attack, the Hufford family held a news conference to share memories of Colleen Hufford.

9/29/2014 Related Story: Community Shows Support For Moore Attack Victims

Colleen was born on January 5, 1960 in Landstuhl, Germany. Her family later moved to Great Falls, Montana where Colleen was raised. On February 18,1984, Colleen married KC Hufford in Great Falls, Montana. They settled in Moore, Oklahoma where their daughter, Kelli was born.

Colleen's daughter, Kelli Hufford, remembers Colleen as a caring and compassionate woman. She said Colleen was outgoing, laid back and down to earth.

Kelli said Colleen loved her husband of 30 years, and made her daughter and her granddaughter, 5-year-old Riley, feel loved every day. Colleen loved hockey and landscaping, and she was a big fan for the OKC Blazers and the OKC Barons. 

Colleen had been working as a Customer Service Representative at Vaughan Foods for two and half years. 

A memorial website has been set up to honor Colleen's life. On that page, you can learn more about Colleen and how you can help the family through this difficult time.

Kelli said her favorite memory with her mother was the family's first hockey game on a Christmas Day, and since then, going to a hockey game has become a Christmas tradition.

According to Kelli, following the tragedy, many local businesses have reached out to their family to offer help. The family has received nationwide support. Kelli said they are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and donations.

During the May, 2013 tornado that tore through Moore, Colleen's house was destroyed.

“We saw how strong she was even through the tornado. And how much she just wanted to continue on as hard as it was to sift through the pieces that were left. Ultimately while we may take that pause here and there, maybe even grieve again down the road periodically, we know deep down inside she wouldn't want nothing less than us to keep continuing on,” Kelli Hufford said.

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