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 OkanaganLake 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 enquire regarding the service, www.mccallbros.com
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Mary Lee Larochelle (Ortloff)
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John O. Powell Kelowna Dear Kealey and Rod and her sister and brothers,
I was saddened very much by the news in The Globe and Mail.
She was such a wonderful mentor, kind and supportive in my years as a young Federal candidate in the 1970s and early 80’s.
We had good understanding and I appreciated her confidence so much. My wife Dawn also shares your grief.
Best wishes to you and your families as her love and dedication lives on with you in your lives.
John O
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Doreen Harrison Nee Jude Colleen was a beautiful person. She certainly had all these attributes mentioned in the write-up. i taught school with her in Burnaby. Enjoyed playing bridge with her. Blessings to her family.
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Paula Chegwidden My condolences to the whole family for your loss.
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Edith Brown Colleen touch my life briefly as I enjoyed many mornings of bridge at her home. She relished political discussions and exchanging books. She was an member of the Peninsula Newcomers and had many friends on the Peninsula.
She will be long remembered by all.
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Thora Kerr Illing Dear Kealey, Rod and others
I was privileged to be part of a bookclub that Colleen led in Sidney and I have many happy memories of her intelligence and warmth. Colleen certainly lived the Unitarian principles. She will be very much missed by family and friends. Think of her enjoying new adventures with her beloved Rod. Thora
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Lauren Pisesky Kealey
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your mother. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting her, I knew she was widely respected for her involvement in several organizations in Vernon.
Our thoughts are with you.
Lauren and Wayne Pisesky
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Lorne Adamson We are sad to hear of Colleen’s passing.
Her passion for politics and the New Democratic Party was a great inspiration for me. I also remember her involvement with the Unitarians in Vernon.
She was a very positive, generous and caring person.Lorne and Jane Adamson,
Coldstream B.C.
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Sheila Campbell Kealey and Rod;
I am so sorry for your loss.
I have very fond memories of your Mom, she was a wonderful person.
My thoughts and care are being sent to you.
Love Sheila.
I would like to express my condolences to the Pringle family. I was a former student of Miss Kealey at Lund School. I often wondered where she got to and if she married her boyfriend and she did. She was a real nice teacher. As a student, I had a great time with her being my former teacher.
Mary Lee Larochelle (Ortloff)