People Who Matter

Remembering Colleen     by KimGiancaterino

#1849 in People
1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 9 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Forever In Our Hearts

January 12, 1952 ~ December 14, 2007

My dear friend Colleen died unexpectedly shortly before Christmas. She left behind her husband Bill, her beautiful daughters Jennifer and Michelle, her absolute pride and joy... her granddaughter Rachelle, her brother Michael, her cousin David, and countless extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by her gentle soul.

I met Colleen many years ago when I was teaching aerobics in northern California. She was one of my 'front row' students; tough, serious, and hard-working, belying her petite stature. We became fast friends when she set a goal to earn her fitness certification and start teaching aerobics herself. She reached this goal in a few short months. Colleen and I attended each other's aerobics classes and often enjoyed taking the classes of the other fitness instructors in our circle of friends.

Colleen later moved to the Seattle area, and I visited her several times. She loved the beauty of Washington, and enjoyed sharing it with her friends. Despite my fear of heights, Colleen persuaded me to take the elevator to the top of the Space Needle. On another trip, she and her husband Bill were determined to help me catch my first salmon, but (to my relief) they weren't running that week!

Colleen was an accomplished gourmet cook, with more cookbooks than anyone I have ever known. She was a fabulous hostess and prepared every morsel of food from scratch, even for her own wedding. After Colleen's passing, her daughters discovered that Colleen had been bookmarking her favorite cookbooks and sketching out menu plans for the upcoming Christmas holidays with her family. Colleen's cookbooks were embellished with fingerprints from her daughters and grandaughter, lovingly accumulated over the years. I feel certain the girls will carry on this tradition and cherish memories of time spent in the kitchen with their mother and grandmother.

When I think of Colleen, her wonderful and playful sense of humor comes to mind. We laughed so often and so hard. I loved to see her laugh. I pray that she is at peace and smiling down on those of us who miss her, especially on this day, her birthday. I will always love you, Colleen.

The Messenger 



From an Angel on high
a tender message of love was softly whispered into the ear
of this humble scribe...

Weep not for me
now that I have passed.
Remember the laughter, the affection, the joy
not just the recent tears.
Cherish the memories, our hopes and dreams.
Hold fast to the love that we shared.
Be happy with the time we spent together
and being anew.
For I am not really gone,
I am closer than ever before.

As the morning sun rises
and throughout the busy day...I am with you.
Until the setting sun disappears on the horizon
and we watch the day turn into night...I am here.
You may feel a faint breeze stir round your head, while you slumber
as I gently kiss your forehead, "Good night."
The stars that shine so brightly in my heavenly sky
help me watch over you and keep you from harm.

I am the wind in the trees
and the song of a bird.
I am moonbeams in a midnight sky
and a glorious rainbow after the storm.
I am morning dew
and freshly-fallen snow.
I am a butterfly flying overhead
and a puppy happily at play.
I am a smile on a stranger's face
a gentle touch
a warm embrace.

Listen to the wind for my message of love.
Watch the sun rise and set in the sky with me.
Feel my essence encircle you with warm memories.
Open your heart to know...I am not gone.
Reach deep into your soul...You will find me.
I am here.
Have no fear.
I am with you,
Always.



Graciously Contributed by Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS
© 1999 Kirsti A. Dyer

Tributes to Colleen 

Click on the Wreath to Leave a Tribute


I've known Colleen since she first started at Blanton's Market. I am the bread man, so I was a regular there and at Fischer's. We always had great conversations about our families, including our dogs, and especially about her pride and joy, her granddaughter. It seemed that most any conversations we had would always lead to something about her grandaughter. Colleen was a very nice person and a good friend and will be greatly missed.

Mark ~ Centralia, Washington

I very much enjoyed my time working with Colleen in Kent. A cowgirl all the way and a wife, mother and grandma that loved her family that knew no bounds. I was sorry to hear of her passing.

Rick ~ Renton, Washington

No bond is as great as that between a parent and a child. Laura and I share your sorrorow at the passing of your mother Colleen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Chris & Laura ~ Lodi, Wisconsin

Jenn, Michelle, Rachelle, and family, We are sorry for your loss, and our thoughts are with all of you.

Amy & Christopher ~ Lodi, Wisconsin

I was lucky to know Colleen while we both lived in Livermore, California. We were both Aerobic Instructors at the Livermore Valley Tennis Club. I'll always remember her outgoing and bubbly personality. She made so many people happy and healthy with her excellent classes and infectious enthusiasm. My deepest condolences to Colleen's family and may she forever rest in peace and be with God.

Arlene & John ~ Roseville, California

My Grandma was the coolest Grandma in the world. I miss her so much. No one even can comprehend it. But one thing I know is that wherever she is now, she is much happier than when she was.

Rachelle ~ Graham, Washington

I'm Free 



Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
to laugh, to love, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things too I will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
I'm with God now, I've been set free.


Author Unknown

Remembering Colleen 

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chloecavanaugh

How very touching. Yet the loss of my best friend quickly comes to mind, after reading this. Our lives are forever changed, from the friendships with our dear friends. That is the best gift of all.
~Chloe

Posted July 07, 2008
JaguarJulie

Kim -- This is a very beautiful and loving tribute to your friend Colleen. How sad it is that too often it is the wonderful people in our lives who are taken before their time. Angel blessings my dear.

Posted June 27, 2008
ms-giggles

I lost my Best Friend Pam on January 17 2008.
I started to cry over your tribute to Colleen.
My heart has been touch by your lens.

I've truly been inspired to build a lens for Pam.
I feel your loss in my heart.
God Bless
Beth
PS I'm not a writer!!! I have taken myself out of my comfort zone with squidoo and found myself improving everyday. I love Squidoo....

Posted May 01, 2008
Piksychick

What a unique and thoughtful gift you have given to Colleen's family and friends. She sounds like she was a very special person to you.

Posted February 22, 2008
EclecticWAHM

What a lovely tribute to your friend. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Posted February 11, 2008
Eva Mullins

I worked with Colleen for 3 1/2 years at Blantons Market. She was such a fun person. She was definately one of a kind. I will never forget her sense of humor, for those of us she let see it. I hope and pray that she is at peace and in a better place. I love you Colleen and miss you dearly.

Posted January 22, 2008

GypsyPirate

So beautiful. Thank you for sharing Colleen's spirit with those of us that were not lucky enough to have known her before.

Posted January 22, 2008
rms

I know the pain you are feeling. This is such a lovely tribute to your friendship with Colleen.

Posted January 16, 2008
Comfortdoc

A beautiful and loving tribute to your dear friend.

Posted January 12, 2008

Huntington Botanical Gardens

Colleen Graff Photo Gallery 

Click on any image to enlarge

Dance For Heart by timefortravel

Livermore Valley Tennis Club by timefortravel

Gene Autry Museum by timefortravel

Gene Autry Museum by timefortravel

Huntington Botanical Gardens by timefortravel

Huntington Botanical Gardens by timefortravel

Huntington Botanical Gardens by timefortravel

Colleen's Wedding by timefortravel

Randle, Washington Snow by timefortravel

Puppies by timefortravel

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Colleen's Wedding Buffet

Acknowledgements 

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to
Dr. Kirsti A. Dyer aka Comfortdoc, who allowed me to use her beautiful poem, The Messenger. Her many lenses on dealing with grief and loss have helped me tremendously during this time. You'll find them listed here, under More Great Lenses, in addition to several others written by members of the caring Squidoo community.