Today is the one year anniversary of Colleen’s death. Jack and I still talk about her, think about her, and talk with her every day. Death ends a person’s life on Earth, but not your relationship with that person. Our relationship with Colleen continues to develop and gain new richness, significance, spirituality, and the many different qualities of the transformative power of love. We continue to learn the important lessons and truths that Colleen’s life had to teach us, and that the next generations will need to know through passing along her memory.

I'm not sure if it's because it was just her birthday - or because it's the holiday season but I've been thinking about Col a lot these days. I've also been having dreams about her or dreams where she just shows up (: This isn't so much a story but a message to all of you who love Col, especially the McMahons and Coates, that that I love you and am thinking about you. It still doesn't feel real. Sincerely, Kristine

          I thought I’d give you a little perspective of what it was like to be Colleen’s little sister.

It was an honor and a blessing and the greatest friendship that I experienced as a young girl. I adored Colleen, I looked up to her, I wanted to be just like her- I was connected to her.

Sharing a bedroom for 15 years, we spent many hours laying on our beds dreaming big dreams of things we could do together. One of our first ideas was to become a sister team of interior designers.We spent every weekend for about a year changing around our room for “practice”. Our next idea was that we would become a dance team -we spent many afternoons creating our own dance moves in our living room and then by invitation only- our brothers and parents would be called down for our performances.

Colleen’s favorite dream, one that she talked about the most, was becoming a vet. She used to line our stuffed animals up on our beds and tend to each one. I was happy to be her assistant.
It was no surprise to me or anyone in Coll’s early days how much she loved her job taking care of animals.

As we grew up we moved on to bonding over rules and common activities and being in love. Many middle school days after school were spent just the two of us home watching tv and talking about everything and anything. We talked about who we would marry (she was going to marry Sean Cassidy), how many kids we would have, how we were going to live right next door to each other and our kids would be best friends. We did all of this while watching tv and hanging out daily. We loved to watch the Guiding Light ----after all it was our beloved Nana’s “Story”. So, we would watch until we heard the sound of a car door or the garage, when we would sprint up to our room to our carefully staged homework-- you see - We weren’t allowed to watch soap operas –this was one of my first conspiracies with Colleen that I was happy to be a part of.

If you know my dad then you know that if you say you want to play a sport he will seek out the best coach he can find, and for Colleen and me, the best of the best were teachers from OP High School with coaching talents outside of the classroom. Colleen and I bonded over our Dad’s rather rogue choices for developing our “talents” back in elementary and middle school.When we wanted to take gymnastics, rather than put us in a big gymnastics center where all of the others kids went, my dad sought out the best coach he knew.There we were, flipping and cartwheeling with Joe Behm and the Orchard Park High School Gymnastics Team. I think we were 6 & 8, but we were together.
We wanted to dance. Instead of enrolling us at Mary Alice’s dance studio with the costumes and big productions and all of the other kids in town, my dad put us with who he thought was the best dance teacher in town (Mr. Greenan was!). So, early on there we were, two young girls taking Jack Greenan’s dance class with young adults and veteran dancers. I’m not sure how we got into the class, as we were way out of our league, but at least Coll and I had each other.

As we continued the dance lessons during our late middle school and early high school years we realized that we preferred staying home and watching TV together to going to dance class, so we took turns coming up with excuses to get out of dance – we even kept a journal to help us keep track. Conspiracy #2 with Colleen. Awesome.

As we entered high school, Colleen 2 years older, led the way and made my path easy.Colleen was super smart, she was kind, and an all star athlete. I was proud to take the same classes, have the same teachers, and play on the same sports teams as Coll.After all, everyone assumed I would be as good at school and sports as she was, and let me tell you… I was great with that assumption! I was proud to tell people she was my sister.

After high school and college, Colleen and I continued to share great memories.

Spending our summers in Chautauqua, we worked together as waterfront counselors during our college summers. It was there that I watched Colleen fall in love – I had a front row seat to an amazing love story.When Colleen met Dan time stood still- that was it for her- I guess the swim counselor (Colleen) falling in love with the sailing instructor(Dan) sounds like a romance novel. It really was a one of a kind love story so many years ago.

When Colleen & Dan got married, it was bittersweet.For the 1st time, Colleen left home for good, but she quickly bridged the separation by bringing me and the rest of my family into her new life.

I wish everyone could have had the opportunity to see how Colleen’s love for her kids was contagious.

Colleen’s support of all things Jack and the magnetic enthusiasm that it engaged was amazing. When Jack went through his love for Santa Claus as a very young boy, we all found ourselves enthusiastically supporting the Christmas season to extend well into the summer. Colleen oozed happiness when she was around her kids. We all wanted a part of it. Suddenly, wishing a 3 year old in a Santa suit a happy 4th of July didn’t seem like anything but pure joy.

Colleen’s enthusiasm for parenting was above and beyond. She wasn’t just a hockey mom, she was the hockey mom. She made watching 6 year old hockey something that our Buffalo family wanted to do –we wanted to drive 3 hours to Pittsburgh to watch 6 year olds play hockey and be Jack’s groupies.

Of course Colleen’s love didn’t stop with Jack. Soon after Jack came Emma, and with Emma, Colleen was once again “All in”. And because of Colleen’s infectious energy, we were All in.

Whether it be an Apatosaurus named Littlefoot or a Triceratops named Cera (Emma’s favorite) the charactersfrom the Land before Time became serious dinner conversations one summer in Chautauqua.

Colleen and the kids went through a Harry Potter phase before most people knew who Harry Potter was. Memories of the Coates sitting around the Chautauqua couch reading about spells and potions and Harry and Dumbledore are beautiful and precious.

I am so lucky that Colleen pulled me into her journey as a young mom. Colleen and I were so used to talking about anything and everything that I think she often forgot that I was going through my last year of college while she and Dan were starting this beautiful family.

Coll would call me frequently asking my advice on parenting issues- one time she called to ask if I thought mixing applesauce in with veggies would be ok? To make it taste even better she said…
Of course I would answer yes- my 21 year old self thought it was a great idea:)

I also remember Colleen calling me from the grocery store parking lot with a “strong willed” Emma in the background.
Now I don’t know why my sister thought taking advice from a young 23 year old was a good idea, but I think that it was that Colleen and I would talk and laugh and find common ground over anything even if our worlds were in different places. Coll brought me into her life no matter the time or place- I know she did the same for all of you who were lucky enough to know her-

I adored her, I looked up to her, and I loved her – Colleen was easy to love and I will miss her forever-

Many thoughts of dear Colleen on her first heavenly Birthday♥️

As I sit here early this morning I have been thinking of you constantly. A funny story about Colleen: one afternoon at her home we brought out coffee out to the dock to layout and continue chatting. All of a sudden Colleen said where is the lounge chair? (It had always been on the dock, was their earlier in the day and literally disappeared!!!) one of the ridgies looked extremely guilty! (I can’t remember which one as I sit here!) we realized then that their playing on the dock must have pushed the chair into the intercostal! Colleen jumped in to the find the chair. How we would have gotten it onto the dock would be another story! But we always thought we were superwomen! Nevertheless, it couldn’t be found! Colleen just shrugged it off as we know her love for her pups was all encompassing! I miss you so much. I often think of things I must tell you and reach for my phone until it settles over me that I can’t. Whenever anything good happens in my life I know you are with God and watching over me. I miss you desperately. 

[As shared at Colleen's Memorial in Orchard Park on October 12]
Colleen was a great cousin. As I did to Kevin and Tim and Erin (those four were a package deal, with Sarah and me joining them joining them to make the first six grand-kids on that "branch"), I looked up to her so much growing up. My most vivid and favorite memories of Colleen are of carefree summer days and fun sleepover nights at Chautauqua. I was probably just 11 years old when I was riding in a powerboat at the Lake, watching her water-ski behind us with the natural ease and strength of a pro, wearing sunglasses and the most joyous smile on her face as she kicked off one of her skis to go slalom-style -- she was a bad ass, and in that moment on the water I wanted to be just like her when I was 16.
Ten years later, when I needed some support and a big bear hug following a (less auspicious) night at the Institute, Colleen was right there, leading the charge to have my back. Her authenticity and sincerity and support for me, her younger cousin, was so genuine; unique love.
Finally, another ten years later, I remember introducing her to Emily, spending a holiday weekend at the Lake with her and Dan and Jack and Emma, playing "Jenga" and a word-tile game called "Snatch," laughing and storytelling into the night -- Colleen was family.
I had the most vivid dream a few nights ago -- crystal clear like a pure tear; when I awoke, I was refreshed, alive. Colleen was in it: laughing, light, at peace.  That's how I'll remember her.
All my love,
Bo

A lot of you have said or written about how Colleen was an “all-in and super generous friend”.  I was lucky enough to have shared many years of that friendship with her. 

Colleen and I both landed in Pittsburgh at crossroads times in our lives.  I was finishing college, moving on to grad school and trying to figure out what I really wanted to do with myself.  She was newly married, trying to find her place in a new town, and having her babies.  We had always been friends from from Chautauqua but in Pittsburgh we kind of latched on to each other. 

She was generous with her home and her time -which was amazing to me since I was living with my parents and she had a real house.  Especially during the weekdays it seemed like we did everything together.  Here I was in my early 20s and  I preferred going to places like playgrounds  with her and Jack and Emma to going out partying.  I was also studying child development so  it was perfect timing to be hanging out with 2 preschool age kids.  I even wrote a paper about jacks obsession with Santa Claus which became a regular and favorite discussion topic for my whole class.

This whole family has always been so welcoming to me.  And I have had very different friendships with each of the McMahon kids.  Erin of course will remind me that I was ...her*friend*first....and I will always remind her that I am her friend forever. But as I look back on those years now, I have realized Colleen especially made me feel like I was part of her family.  I never got a chance to thank her for that....

I ended up moving around a lot. So did she.  It turned out that we needed to be together to maintain that kind of friendship we had.  Over the years, growing apart has always been one of my biggest struggles, especially during the last few years. I think I always assumed we we land back at the kitchen table in the McMahon’s Chautauqua house to catch up on everything we missed. 

Colleen taught me a lot during those years we had together in Pittsburgh- from small things like the joy of eating pretzels dipped in cottage cheese with salsa (try it!).....to large-life things like what it truly feels like to be loved by a friend...

I think I am just now figuring out a lot about our friendship and honestly am struggling with some regrets....I wish I was managing that struggle WITH her at the kitchen table in Chautauqua rather than here saying goodbye to her. 

Today I would like to thank the McMahon’s and Coates for once again welcoming me in and letting me share the good, the bad, and the ugly-crying moments like these with you.

I remember visiting Pittsburgh on the way to a whitewater trip in West Virginia. We stopped by Colleen and Dan’s house. Colleen and I were catching up at their kitchen table. Jack was just a toddler and he was in a high chair polishing off a plate of food with his hands. He was the cutest little guy and Colleen was a picture of health and beauty, just as vibrant as that Spring day. Jack started to point at his carrots which were in a separate bowl out of his reach. Colleen said, “Jack you can eat your carrots after you finish the food on your plate.” I was amazed that his reward were the carrots which is exactly what a lot of parents struggle to get their kids to eat at all. I told Colleen I was totally blown away. She just shrugged with a laugh and a smile. I hope it was a smile of pride and accomplishment. A few years later, while raising my own kids I would think back to that afternoon often, Colleen as my parenting role model, but sadly I was never able to pull off Colleen’s magic “carrots as dessert trick” with any of my little ones.

Colleen was so sweet, supportive and kind to me, most often treating me with the warm empathy reserved for little siblings. I wish the whole family peace and comfort. She will be missed by all that knew her.

I feel grateful that I crossed paths with Colleen in her last two years of life. Although I know those years were often not easy, her struggle was beautiful. She was truly making progress against internal odds that I can only fathom, for that and more she has my lifelong respect. Although many never reach the top of Mount Everest, no one can take away the views seen along the way. I am grateful that Colleen had moments of healing and connection in these last years. I hope they were transcendent. 

Colleen ate from the buffet of life and truly embodied the word gifted. From academics, athletics, tennis, running, reading, knitting, cooking, baking, drawing, journaling, poetry, entertaining, traveling, shopping, enjoying movies and TV, music, dancing, caring for animals, socializing, you name it! While her time on earth was cut too short, she truly packed it in in the years that she had. Her life was like the dense fantasy novels she read and loved, full of adventure, daring, twists, turns, ups and downs, mysteries, many interesting characters, and divine lessons learned. 

The way she lived and especially the way she brought other people in to her life will stick with me and continue to inspire me for the rest of mine. Although Colleen was masterful at all that she did, it is really so true: "People will forget what you said, will forget what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel." Although she is gone physically, her memory is here spiritually and emotionally, continuing to inspire, especially through her amazing children, family members, and friends. Her vulnerability bred intimacy

Colleen knew that I loved quotes, poetry, little bits of wisdom. She asked me to share with her what I came across, in hindsight, probably because she thought it would make me feel special and included. That was her way. A few months ago I shared a poem with her that I will paraphrase: "Life loves broken things. Life takes broken clouds to make rain, broken soil to make grain, broken grain to make bread, broken bread to give strength, broken people to heal the world." In our fix-it culture the word "broken" gets a bad rap, but I think broken is under-rated, it is one end of the spectrum and one side of the coin. Our muscles break and mend many times throughout our life to make us strong, as do our hearts. Colleen was nothing if not strong.

Rob Watters told me this one the other day......

A group of us (me, Rob Watters, Dave Anderson, the Mulroys, the Lewis', and Col and Dan) went to Breckenridge for a ski vacation one year and after a few long days on the slopes, Rob desperately wanted us all to go see the movie Swingers showing one night in the village.   We were all tapped out and exhausted, wanting to lay low and call it a night, but Rob was really pushing.  We all bailed on joining him - timely with our excuses - except for Colleen.  Rob knew she wasn't that interested in going but she did, not wanting to see Rob go by himself. She was just like that.

We miss you deeply Colleen. You were always the one to light up the room with your smile, positive attitude and amazing spirit full of energy. I still remember when Aspen held retreats in Ft Lauderdale— you always helped scout out the venues, get any supplies we needed and joined us for the celebrations. You even opened your house and always graciously shared your time.You were always so giving. Thank you for everything. 

Though diminutive in stature, Colleen had the wingspan of an eagle- for those huggable “hellos” and “goodbyes”

When I reflect on my childhood, Colleen McMahon is at the forefront. 
There are are so many stories. Playing Emergency with our Bigwheels, playing school, squeezing into the McMahon clubhouse to play house, and pretending that our bikes were horses. Chautauqua baseball games and crayfish catching. Our dogs used to play together and wrestle. Col always said that Snooper’s ear had a funny bend in it because Muffet used to chew on it.
Even though we’re not related I know all Col’s aunts and uncles and cousins and greeted her grandparents with hugs. There were caroling parties at our house. In fourth grade we had little stuffed animals we put on our school desks and made paper “books” for until Miss Brown said, “Enough.” There was our Barbie phone conversation for the fifth grade talk for girls. And the day at the OP public library when we found an ad in a magazine for a little booklet entitled “How To Kiss With Confidence.” We pooled our $5 and sent away for it. The only advice I remember was, “Watch out for braces. They can get locked together.” 
So many of our conversations started, “My mom said that your mom said...” We navigated Nativity, basketball and softball, OPHS-sharing a homeroom and many classes, studying and helping each other (like sharing Latin translations), Canisius dances, hanging out, college, weddings (preceded by my first and only “Laker”), Fall Balls and Spring Flings, and families,and just life. 
So many stories. One of my very first friends. Love you, Col

My Aunt Colleen was an amazing person with a lot of personality. She and I had a lot of things in common.  We both loved to run and we also loved animals a lot. Our connection was very strong. We always had a fun time when we were together. She could always make me smile and feel happy. Her personality was very contagious to people around her. I can’t believe she is gone and I will forever miss her. I loved her soo much. May you Rest In Peace Aunt Colleen. 

Tim, Kevin, and Erin,

In the older pictures, the faces of you four little kids live in some of my earliest memories. They go farther back than the time I had to ask what your last name was because since day one your parents have been "Aunt" and "Uncle" and not Mr. and Mrs.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about when I say that as the events of our earliest memories get farther and farther in the past, the more precious those memories become. And at the same time, as the years go by, the harder it is to hold on to them all, so the work of remembering becomes all the more important. My memories of Colleen--and her siblings--will always be with me because they always have been. 

We spent an incredible hour with Colleen yesterday in Florida.  She looked so beautiful and at peace.  We wet the floor around her with tears of sorrow.  We spoke of her preciousness, her fighting spirit and strength, and her absolute beauty both inside and out.  She was a special presence and will continue to be. We are all better for having been touched by her.

I lost my beautiful sister. Colleen would have been 51 on November 28th. As big brothers, only 2 and 3, and 3 and 5 years older than each sister, Kevin and I loved them and looked out for them. We were close siblings. Early on, we had different activities but we also did a lot together, whether it was playing tennis or family softball; trying our hand at gymnastics together; fishing at Chautauqua from dinner to nightfall what seemed like every night of the summer; and of course, holiday celebrations. With 4 kids in a tight age range, my parents had to economize what we could all do. And it was really a great opportunity for us as brothers and sisters (and parents, I am sure) to share these mutual experiences as much together as we did.

We always looked forward to a competitive card game of Scat or crazy 8s at Nanas, and then at the Lamb’s or our house over the holidays, playing board games. Colleen was always the most competitive and spirited. We also looked forward to the numerous road trips in our woody wagon to DC to see our cousins, or down to Florida for spring break to see our grandparents and great aunts and uncles. Those were seasonal rites of passage for us. They were memorable and shared and precious.

Even as we grew, with our mutual activities and interests becoming less and less, we still found pockets of common ground to share. Kevin and I played hockey, Colleen and Erin played field hockey. We played baseball, they played softball.We ran around Orchard Park and Chautauqua together with many of you, or your children.Kevin, Colleen, Erin, and I all worked at the Chautauqua Boys’ and Girls’ Club. I’ll always remember piling into our station wagon, hustling to make the 9AM start.Colleen was the first and only girl to ever play on the EMHOs softball team at Chautauqua. She played 2nd base and I played shortstop. We turned some double plays. The guys on the team all loved Colleen and cherished her and protected her as a teammate, friend, and my sister.

I went to St. Lawrence, Col went to St. Lawrence. There, we met each other’s friends, hung out, went on road trips (including a great and memorable one to visit Kevin his senior year), and came home on breaks together. My senior year, she lived in a suite across the hall from mine. Having my little sister there was awesome. I went to Kenya for a semester, she did the same a year and a half after me. We talked about our mutual experiences of those semesters abroad almost every time we got together over the last 30 years, mostly about the Maasai Mara and Samburu parts of the experience, describing our favorite animals. And Colleen loved animals. I distinctly remember her stuffed animal collection covering most of her purple bed as a little girl. She most recently worked at an animal hospital, where she took so much pride in running a caring operation, spending weekends on call feeding and attending to other people’s pets.  She had a true passion for helping and healing.

After college, the joy with my sister, family, and friends just continued.She and Dan got married, the first of our group of friends to do so. They started their family soon after. We had our Fall Balls and Spring Flings to close and open the cottage at Bemus Point. Now, with Jack and Emma running around too. Those were epic weekends. Highlights of every year.

She was always in the moment, coordinating, arranging, but also listening, helping, making jokes, and laughing. Colleen was a giver, always putting herself last. You ALWAYS knew you were important to her and a part of her life; her priority. Can you imagine her as a grandma? That would have been so beautiful to experience.

Being as unselfish as she was, she kept her struggles largely to herself, especially at their earliest. Deep down, to feel alone and conflicted while on the surface, it was still always about whomever she was with and the experience.Your moment, not hers, but she was with you. What she was coping with inside is still incomprehensible and always will be.

As her valiant struggles with mental health seemed to take greater hold, it was so taxing on some of you. Mom, Dad, Jack, Dan, Emma…. You did the best you could. Please know that. You showed the greatest emotion and passion I have ever witnessed, providing love in words of course, but your actions, and in ways that a description couldn’t do justice.

Some of you don’t know this and it is important that we tell you, but Colleen fought so, so hard to get better. She hated feeling depressed, conflicted, and tormented so much of the time. The victories, then the relapses, crashing down hard but getting right back up and trying to find help professionally, through peer groups, through friends and family, and within herself. She’d be back to the task of getting better, mustering that competitive spirit again and again, the mindset of “I’m working to get better.” I can only imagine how much harder it was to keep it together and improve when her mind wasn’t cooperating.

Mom, Dad, Dan, Jack, Emma, - you are heroes. To see your commitment to fight this with her, to help her seek counseling and the needed medical attention… the many times you spent in the hospital, at meetings and sessions, or at her home with her, ……your constant worry and always finding ways to be with her whenever you could - it breaks all our hearts but please know and remember how grateful we all are that you did so much to keep her light radiant, beautiful and so fondly memorable.

I’d like to ask us all to think and act and prioritize in any way you can, the woefully under-served mental health environment in our country. The obstacles and vagaries and inconsistencies Colleen and our family had to go through to get her treated and attended to, often remotely, were frustrating on far too many occasions. Across the spectrum of health care, we do so little comparatively for mental health, and need to call more significant attention to those in need, often desperate need, of treatment and continuing care. Please, please, evaluate your political representatives and determine or ask if they take a position of real action, in facing the challenges in the mental health field. We allocate too little in resources and need to improve so much, including access, coverage, and research.

The shared experiences we have all had with her are part of the indelible and precious memories we will always have of my beautiful, loving, vibrant, and giving sister, Colleen Therese. Please think of her and smile and if you detect mental strain and conflict in others, or yourself, please seek help.

Everyone Colleen touched, adored her. By taking her radiance - her shining example of how to live the best we can – and paying attention to others and giving to them, we can make her legacy even brighter.

Spread Love!

Colleen was a beautiful woman inside and out. I feel very blessed to have known her for 31 years. My first and final memory of her was her contagious smile - she smiled with her whole face and body - her eyes lit up, her cheeks blushed, her grin spread from ear to ear and radiated that huge smile which was always accompanied by a powerful loving hug. I remember Colleen being unique, generous, kind and full of joy. She was exciting to be around always laughing and up for having fun. She was artistic and shared her beauty with the world. She expressed ideas intensely and was always engaged and present in conversations whether it was a one on one or a group. Colleen reflected warmth and love as though you were in the presence of the sun. I will fondly remember the amazing times we had together in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Ft. Lauderdale, Park City and New Orleans. The world is less bright without her. May her memory be eternal! 

 

Colleen (or Coal—leen as pronounced by some ;)

i miss your laugh, your genuine kindness. The way you treated people and animals. Your heart was bigger than the moon. You are truly one of a kind.

You and I exchanged Christmas presents in 2017, and you were so thoughtful with your gift to me: pajama pants with paw prints (we shared the love of animals) socks to keep my tootsies warm, and you were so excited to give them to me. I made you a bracelet of peace, hope—because that’s what you always strived and fought for.

i remember when I brought home kittens that I was pet sitting—they were only a few weeks old. Your face LIT up. You helped me bottle feed them and you were so beautiful. You smiled and laughed at their cuteness. I still have that image in my mind. I love that image. 

I remember how excited you got when you told stories. I remember you laughing at my jokes—making me believe that I was funny (I’m not) and what a wonderful person you were.

i remember I was cold one day, and you lent me pink sweatpants. You said keep them and then gave me the matching sweatshirt and another pair of pants that matched so I would always be warm.

this was the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me: you and I were in the garage, waiting for Dan to pick you up. You were so beautiful. You were wearing a sundress and you glowed. I complimented your flip flops. You took them off your feet and gave them to me. Gave them to me! I wore them for years and thanked you profusely. You said you had a million more and you wanted me to have them.

no one is like you, Colleen. No one. I am lucky to have known you. I know I have a friend waiting with something to keep me warm on the other side. I will see you then, Colleen. I love you. Jill

 I'm crushed...so sorry... far too soon for Colleen. So many fond memories with Col that will live on with me...I'm sad today and grieving with you brother. Lots of love from me and Laurie and to your family. Peace - chief. 

......I am still trying to get my heart and head around the fact that your lovely bright light of a sister is no longer here. I am so sorry for all of you, for all of us, and for all of those whose lives she tried to make better. When we hugged each other and said goodbye in Chautauqua this past July, I told her how proud of her I was. She said "Thanks, Mar. That means a lot. But it's hard.  It's so, so hard." But that's just what made me so proud of you, dear Coll. You tried so hard to win. Fierce hugs -- Mar xx

(On the phone with Col) 'hey Tim, how are your girls? what are they up to?'.. (my response) "playing tons of soccer and hitting the tennis ball sometimes"... a week later a pair of brand new tennis racquets and matching bags show up on our doorstep.

Chautauqua softball league 1988. Col is our team 2nd baseman and only girl (maybe in the whole league).  A hard line drive knocks her on her ass but she manages to stop the ball and still throw the batter out at first.  Immediate cheers, "WOWS!", and laughter from the players and spectators . Look at the team photo in the gallery, she looks so badass.

So many concerts together.... just she and I at Phish at Darien Lake about 6-7 years ago dancing our asses off. No one in the venue could keep up with her that night. My legs hurt the next day ......

Colleen, Dan and I in Raleigh  at Widespread Panic. I had leg surgery so was in a wheelchair and we got the VIP treatment to be up close in the wheelchair section with plenty of dance space.  She invited all kinds of dancing friends that night to join us in the section, telling security 'they're with us'......

1999 in the 'burgh for the Stones at Civic Arena. Me, Kath, Col, the Higgins', and Steve Frank. As the concert starts to wind down, Frankie, Col, and Kath hop the boards and slip past security to dance crazy in the floor section. I could've wet myself laughing...

A lefty who had surgery on that wrist so she could play tennis with less pain, so while rehabbing she just starting playing righty! ...determination to get better and healthy.  Heart of a lioness...oh my sister was brilliant and vibrant light! Trying to find a way to celebrate a life that profoundly touched so many

I will always love you Colleen and I miss you dearly! You have always been a dynamic woman who succeeded in all aspects of life.  I have so many funny stories throughout our friendship. Early mornings drinking a pot of coffee and solving the problems of the world with some humor thrown in. You loved to be up early morning listening to NPR on your headphones but 9 times out of 10 we had too much to say to one another! Driving your Jeep to the beach in Pompano, feeing 25 and acting like “Thelma and Louise” with the wind blowing through our hair and laughing all the way. We always loved to hang out on the beach in a cabana you and Dan rented for months every year.  You were my friend with a huge heart.  You never met a stranger. Whether we were shopping, sitting on your dock with your dogs, having lunch or hanging out, you always saw the best in everyone. You had such a warmth about you and loved to entertain in your sanctuary, your home. Those evenings were filled with great stories, fantastic meals and lots of laughter.My heart has been breaking without you. Your fierce love for Dan, Jack and Emma will never be forgotten. I will make sure I am their for your family. I love you always and it’s not goodbye.