There is not a day that I don’t miss our dear friend. Cleo was such a great friend and we had so much fun working and traveling together. Happy Heavenly birthday dear one. You always had great wisdom and compassion. You made such a difference for so many people.

We miss you Cleo.

Happy Birthday Cleo. You are missed dearly.

Judy and I met Cleo one morning when she was walking her dog Taffy. She was a dog lover and Taffy was a big part of her life. Soon she joined our Monday afternoon bridge group and was a regular until she moved to Tampa. We missed her then still miss her now. When she lived in Waterlefe, she kept us informed on the cancer treatment she was going through which she choose to do so medical science could benefit from her experience. She was a wonderful, compassionate, brave lady with a positive outlook on life!

Cleo's Eulogy for those that couldn't make her funeral.

I once heard that the goal to life was to die young, but as late as possible, I think Cleo achieved this.

In her mid seventies one of Cleo’s favorite past times was to play golf with her crew at Waterleaf.

Later in life she went and visited the monks on Skellig Island & went on an African safari.

In her sixties Cleo went skiing with Julia and I in Montana and Jules was eager to show her mom how good of a skier she was and was worried that her mom wouldn’t be able to remember how to ski since it had been 30 plus years since she last skied. The first day it was extremely foggy on the mountain and it was actually very scary due to the visibility and Cloe without apprehension strapped on her ski’s and whizzed down the mountain and was one of the best skiers on the mountain…to Julia’s displease mind you………Julia thought that the she was going to out ski her……but was badly mistaken……Jules said afterward,….. “dang that woman is good at everything she does”.

During that same trip we took a drive across the mountains to the visit my family on the Blackfeet Reservation…..it was during this time that she met my Grandma Marge and Aunt Jerry….two of my favorite women in the world…..all three of them got along like peas and carrots and it warmed my heart to see them visit and laugh like old friends.

To her very last days Cleo’s life was instructive. As she aged she taught us how to grow with dignity, humor and kindness.

When the good lord finally called her name she met him with courage and with the joy and promise of what lies ahead….a life everlasting in the kingdom of heaven.

Cleo was always busy and in constant motion but never too busy to teach us how to love, laugh and care for other people.

Her entire career was devoted to caring for the elderly and patient rights.
Along the way she mentored many nurses and colleagues.

Some of the things people say about her when they think of Cleo is that she was dedicated to her higher power, to her work, to her daughter Julia and to her family and friends.

When her friends think of her they think of a woman who would drop everything to be with them at a time of need. Friendship was very important to Cleo and if you knew her she was your best friend.

She was a genuinely optimistic women that believed anything was possible.
Cleo was one of the smartest & brightest people I have ever met.

In 1967 Cleo earned her private pilot’s license at time when most women didn’t think about wanting to fly or own their own plane when I started to learn to fly she would share stories of her adventures in the sky and encouraged and mentored me.

With a constant urge to learn Cleo received her MBA from the University of Miami at the age 70. 

Cleo could relate to people from all walks of life and was an empathetic woman who valued character over pedigree. 

She looked for the good in each person, and she usually found it.

Cleo understood the important values of faith and family and strongly believed it was important to give back to the community in which she lived.

She recognized that serving others enriched the givers soul. 
Perhaps that is why she chose the career path she did.

Cleo was well respected in her field. She had genuine passion for her work and it showed and wore off on those she worked with.

Cleo had an enormous capacity to give of herself.

Many people will tell you that she became a mother figure and mentor in their life.

She listened and she consoled, she was their friend.

Some words that come to mind when you think of Cleo are elegant, class, smart, graceful, funny and witty.

She was not only my mother in law but she was also one of my best friends, and will be missed dearly.

She was a wonderful mother to my wife Julia. She was firm in her principles and supportive of Julia as she began to seek her own way. She encouraged and comforted Julia but never steered her. Julia tested her patience many times growing up, but she always responded with the great gift of unconditional love.

Julia was by her side as she took her last breath and she told her how much she loved her. I know Cleo heard her because she had a smile on her face when she passed.

Cleo we are going to miss you, your decency, your sincerity and your kind soul will stay with us forever.

So through our tears let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, the best mother a son or daughter could have.

And in our grief we get solace for knowing that you are by the lords side hugging your brother Jay, Mother Hilda and Father Raymond.

We love you Cleo and you will be missed. 

Our sweet and beautiful Cleo. She was extremely smart and funny and caring.
She will be missed by ever.
Rest in peace my beautiful friend

Memories of a sweet smile, beautiful demeanor, and kindly spirit. Her way of always looking forward and upward was an inspiration to me and to many. . . . So blessed to have known her . . . Grace and peace, dear Cleo.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers.. - Tammy and Jason Wortham

No words can express how much love, respect and admiration I have for Cleo. I was blessed to have her as my mentor, partner and friend for many years. Her love, support and friendship changed my life. I am the nurse I am today because of you!! Rest In Peace Cleo!! Always love you and never forget until we see each other again. ❤️

There are no words to describe the importance of my 43 year friendship with Cleo. We shared careers, relationships, vacations, cruises, a few secrets, a little wine and all the ups and downs of lives well lived. She was dedicated - to her higher power, her work, her daughter and familly and to her friends. So many memories...I cannot imagine my life without her. She was humble, but not too humble, and never failed to keep me grounded with her dry observations and sense of humor, which she maintained till the end. I will still call on her, talk to her, and listen to her, as I know she will always be there for me. Love you, my friend.

From the first time we met Cleo we felt like family. Cleo was always with a smile and had genuine interest in getting to know our family, we always felt her love and sincerity. What an amazing woman with so many good stories to share. Cleo we will miss you and never forget you.

Love from the Colman family.

Cleo was a wonderful woman who gracefully and lovingly shared her daughter with me for more than 40 years. I will forever be grateful for her kindness.
Rest In Peace Sweet Lady.

Worked with Cleo for many years with HQM/Signature Healthcare. She was a good partner and had a true heart for nursing and nurses and for excellence. She was truly a kind and generous person who will be missed. 

Cleo brought joy, passion and integrity to everything she did! She inspired me to become a better nurse and I feel so blessed that our paths crossed. I'll always remember her beautiful smile and laugh.

I first met Cleo when she was working with the TX Case Mix Demonstration Project. She was petite, funny, always smiling, and totally smart woman who added not only her knowledge but also her ability to make even the most difficult of statistical information understandable. The Case Mix Project brought together some of the brightest minds in the country to work on issues of payment and quality care in Long Term Care. And Cleo was an asset beyond words...she will indeed be missed.

As a long time colleague, I want to highlight her significant contributions to the nursing profession and to care of older adults (especially those living in nursing homes). She was a compassionate leader.

Cleo, a jewel that will never be forgotten! A kind, sweet a loving woman of integrity that cared so much for others! Although it’s been years, I’ll never forget the laughs and love!! You are so deserving of all Heaven offers. I love you. ❤️ My condolences to the family and friends.

Heartbroken to hear this news! What an amazing woman! Passion, Love, and a heart to serve. Made a significant difference in my life and I will for always be thankful. Will definitely be missed but never forgotten. Love you Cleo

Dear Cleo was a wonderful friend and we had some great times whether it was traveling, golfing, formal or casual dinners, wine tastings, and best of all our intimate and great conversations and prayers. Cleo made me a stronger woman and I will always be so grateful for our time together! No one has or ever will have her incredible sense of humor. She was the pragmatic - we would cry for a couple of days and then to quote Cleo, “We build a bridge and get over it.” I have such wonderful memories and feel so blessed by her friendship. Till we meet again my dear friend! Memories are truly God’s way of healing.

The pictures of Cleo are beautiful!!! Cleo was such an amazing person and leader. I remember how she always embraced whatever would be the best for our Elders at Signature Healthcare. She always supported innovative thinking and held everyone accountable to her high standards. You will be missed Cleo. RIP my friend. ❤️

I met Cleo 11 years ago when I was a new Chaplain for Signature HealthCare. Cleo was the Chief Nursing Executive and she so lovingly embraced me and the Spirituality Program. We prayed together many times. Cleo was fun, compassionate and very serious about giving the best clinical and spiritual care to our residents. I loved Cleo's smile and laugh. She will be missed. Rest in peace sweet friend❤

Cleo was good lady and not only my mother in law but one of my best friends. Through the years we had many laughs and truly enjoyed each others company. While we are sad to not have her here on earth we are joyous that she has a life everlasting in heaven. I love you Cleo.

Your son in law and friend,
Chuck

I know you will always be with me, I love you.