Born September 14, 1931 in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Colleen passed away peacefully in the loving presence of her daughter and grandchildren on October 3, 2013, aged 82.
Colleen is predeceased by her beloved husband Rod (January 3, 2013), sister Patricia and brothers Ed and Pat. Colleen is still loved and greatly missed by her daughter Kealey, grandchildren Emerald and Kelt, son Rod, sister Shirley, brothers John (Gerry) and Bill (Judy), sister-in-law Mary (Geoff Pringle, predeceased), and nieces and nephews.
Colleen was a joyful, positive, kind person. She always saw the good in people and she believed in humanity. She was, and taught others to be: kind, loving, compassionate, grateful, forgiving, selfless, generous, humble, passionate, determined, faithful, dependable, constant, strong, and brave.
Colleen worked as a public school teacher, starting two weeks before turning 19 in the town of Lund, in a one-room schoolhouse. She primarily taught grade one and was passionate about teaching kids to read.
Colleen met Rod during her first year of teaching in Lund when she was 19 and he was 21. They married a year later in 1952; they had 60 years of joyful marriage together.
Colleen employed her love of the intellect through reading, bridge and conversation. Colleen read voraciously and constantly sought more knowledge through books, people and travelling. She enjoyed, since the age of eleven, the game of bridge. After Rod’s retirement, they played three or four times a week.
Colleen was a staunch socialist and an active, impressive leader in her community. In 1969, she ran for MLA in Vernon with the NDP accomplishing a stunning second in a conservative riding.
Colleen and Rod were an integral part of a Unitarian Fellowship in the Okanagan for 30 years. Colleen believed and lived the Unitarian Principles, such as the inherent worth and dignity of every person and the interconnectedness of all life.
After retirement and the family grown, Colleen and Rod left the Vernon family home on Okanagan Lake and moved to Victoria to be close to their grandkids.
Colleen was always warm, friendly and kind. She gently reminded us: “Be good to yourself. Be sweet, and above all, be kind.”
A service will be held in Victoria December 7. For condolences or to inquire regarding the service, mccallbros.com.