December 2, 1965 – July 19, 2020
aka Birdie lover of life and laughter died Sunday, July 19 in her 55th year. Self proclaimed favourite child of Gladys and Roy. Deeming herself the best sibling, she was a crazy silly sister to Michael, Patricia, Tracie and Shawn. The family did however concur she was the most amazing, caring Aunt to Dan, Chris, Justice and Sibylle. A fun loving humorous woman, she worked for the CRA making taxes fun, no easy accomplishment. Her favourite pastime was eating and hanging out with her wide circle of friends and making them laugh mostly in wildly inappropriate ways (just ask them). Although a good eater, she was not a good cook, often using the home smoke detector as her oven timer. She loved coca-cola but it didn’t love her as she was diabetic. She also loved bingo but only when she won (an embarrassment for Patricia who went with her). Her middle finger was the finger she liked the most as she used it often (a sense of pride for Michael who taught and encouraged her in this behaviour). Her only regret was not becoming a stand up comic because she said she likes to sit too much. No viewing or funeral services will be held because Colleen believed in laughing not crying. Although a celebration of Colleen’s life will be held at a later date, after her “cry baby” sister Tracie stops crying. Colleen touched many throughout her memorable life and will be greatly missed by all.
Dear Tracie and Shawn (and extended family) My sincere condolences on the loss of Colleen. It has been a number of years since Colleen and I chatted at length ( only in recent years over FB), so did not have the benefit of continuing to enjoy her sense of humour. I do have have fond memories playing on Donald street and from Yorkview. You have written a very lovely tribute to her. All the best, Elise (Kingdon)
I worked with Colleen and she was a steward in my local. I always loved her sense of humour. Ever time I met up with her she would have some witty comment that would make me laugh. My condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to the family.
I met Colleen about 4-5 years ago at work. The workplace was so much more of a pleasure because of Colleen’s presence. Her smile and her sense of humour were as precious as her loving heart.
We are going to miss you dearly Colleen.
I’ll have a glass – or three – in your honour.
I’ll always remember you telling our boss to have a look at my boobs – the set of boobs on the new tattoo I had gotten. Nobody on the team knew that when you exclaimed it out loud though.
Always good times and good laughs with you Colleen xo
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Colleen’s recent illness and passing, especially after having lost another sister, my heart goes out to the family during this time. I had the privilege of meeting Colleen through our work mentoring program. We had a good partnership, being both sassy redheads of the same age. I spent the past few years getting to know and care for Colleen. She was a kind, thoughtful, positive soul, thinking of others before herself. She will truly be missed by many friends and colleagues alike. She always spoke so fondly of her sisters, and brother, and how much she loved being an aunt. There are really no words of comfort that seem appropriate at this time. I am grateful to have met Colleen and hope that she is laughing and feeling joy in the hereafter…. kindest regards,
Leanne Feltrin
Condolences to the family. There are no words that can comfort you but know that Colleen was a great person. Such a big heart and always telling jokes.The obituary is fitting, it brought a smile to my face thinking of her and her sense of humor. Colleen, you will be missed my friend.
My heart felt sympathies to Colleen’s family. She was a fun loving woman that I met through work at CRA. Rest in peace.
To my cousins Tracie and Shawn and the rest of the extended family. Was shocked and saddened to hear of Colleen’s passing. Having spent to many vacations together to name, I can only say I will miss her more then words here can express. She was always so full of love and energy, it was impossible to not have a great laugh filled time when in her presence. Time spent late at night messing with a Ouija board scaring each other or just a sleep over playing cards and hiding extra friends for the sleep over; there were always laughs. Tracie & Shawn, if there is anything you need, you know I am a call away. Love you both, my prayers go out for you at this time of grieving.
I met Colleen when we were both working at the CRA call centre in Hamilton. I also (more recently) worked with her in Collections and was a fellow union steward with her in the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE). Her and I had many conversations on topics of importance to herself, the union and our fellow union members. She was always willing to be of assistance to us as well as to help spread the word about union activities and campaigns. I remember her talking to me when we went to training in 2016 to be strike captains if UTE went on strike and how she was happy to act as a rallier and supporter of our union members.
I’ll always remember that mischievous look Colleen would get in her eyes at times just before she would tell me a joke or a funny observation. I also know she was a very happy and proud aunt and talked about it frequently!
Colleen you will be missed.
I had the privilege of working with Colleen in both St. Catharines and Hamilton. We immediately hit it off and chatted often. Her devotion to family and friends was obvious and I consider myself very lucky to have known her. My heartfelt condolences to the loved ones she’s left behind. xo
I didn’t know Colleen well but her reputation was well known as a personable fun loving hard worker. The few times I was able to interact with her I could clearly see the reputation was earned. My sincerest condolences for the loss of such a special woman!!
I worked with Colleen and absolutely adored her. Colleen was always there with a smile, a joke, a soft spoken encouragement or a laugh. I think the best memory I have of Colleen is how easy she was to be around. She was so comfortable to be with. I believe we lost a truly beautiful human being. Her memory will serve as a reminder of how people should be to one another…kind, sweet, considerate and loving. I will miss her. My deepest condolences to her family.
I had the privilege of working with Colleen at the CRA and also in the Union. I was saddened when I recently heard that she was ill, and even more so to hear about her passing. She was soft spoken until she was comfortable with you. She always had a witty comment or joke she would share. I remember when she told us about wanting to be a stand up comedian. She made me laugh on many occasions. She was a tremendously sweet and thoughtful person. The write-up of Colleen’s life is such a great depiction of her personality.
Sending thoughts and prayers to all of her loved ones and all of us who she touched in her special way.
I worked Colleen in the CRA call centre in Hamilton. We were on the same team until we both went on our separate paths to work in Collections. No mater where we were she was always a friendly face and quick with a joke or light-hearted comment to make you smile. She would walk by my desk and stop and just stare at me until i noticed her which was sometimes difficult because of her constant smile and easy going personality. It quickly became a game to see who would last longer.
Colleen, you will be greatly missed by many co-workers and family and friends, but for me your constant smile and the ease with which you made everyone around you smile and happy no matter how they felt at that time will be a treasure I will not forget.
Rest in Peace
Tracie and Shawn
I am so so sorry for your loss of Colleen. She definitely was a funny, caring person and enjoyed life to the fullest. My boys loved her and will truly miss her. I know she will be met with open arms from those who love her. Tracie, this last year or so must not of been easy for you, but know that you did the best you could with what you were dealt with. You faced everything head on which could not of been easy. You were a great sister/ friend and confidant. Life will not be the same now for you but lean on your support system to get through this time, and remember all the good memories you have. Baby steps for now. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Heaven has received yet another angel.
My sincere condolences to Colleen’s immediate and extended family. I met Colleen when we were both on the Hamilton Niagara TSO Social Committee. Colleen was an enthusiastic member and always contributed great ideas and funny stories about her adventures. I think my favourite story that she shared was her three months working out in BC at the Surrey TSO as a temporary call centre agent. I thought it was an excellent opportunity and loved the stories she shared about driving there and back. Although, I haven’t seen Colleen in the last few years, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Colleen’s passing as I didn’t know of her recent illness. Her smile and her sense of humour will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, Colleen. You were appreciated and admired.
Dear Tracie
I am so sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing. She was an amazing person and a great friend. She loved her family very much and because of her I met you. I met and worked with Colleen at the movies we had so many great times together, I will always remember her.
We were destined to be friends that night we sang karaoke together having only met each other that night at our work Christmas party. I always remember that night when the song plays on the radio. To my BFF, my lets go to every concert we can friend, my let’s go for drive and get ice cream friend, my late night casino friend, my movie friend, my bingo friend, my Orange Man friend, my I’ve had a bad day I need to talk friend, you had the ability to draw people in with your unconditional friendship and your quick wit to make us laugh, not matter what kind of day we were having, is forever going to be missed but cherished memories that will forever be with me.
Colleen is one of those vibrant personalities that fills a room – fun loving, mischievous and always trying to make you laugh (she often spoke about wanting to be a standup comic). She always talked about her family with pride and loved being an Aunt. She is a sweet lady, kind, compassionate and was a great person to work with and be around. You have to know, she is up there having a great time! Her family and friends were so blessed to have her in their lives. I have really enjoyed working with her and our team will miss her greatly! Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
On behalf of the Juravinski CICU, we want to express our sympathy for your loss. As a family, you stayed true to her wishes and were by her side constantly. She was so well loved and supportive. Once again, our thoughts are with you in your loss.
I was shocked to hear about Colleen passing away! She was a great person/agent to deal with at work. My sincere condolences to the family!
from kindergarten to 54 years old … you were my 1st friend Colleen. We had joked we would celebrate our 50 year anniversary in September … so I will celebrate “Our Golden” for the both of us – and now every December I have 2 birthdays, bc I’m not going to let you ever be forgotten.
I don’t really want to stop being friends (I mean – stay with what works, right! lol ) – I’d prefer to end this post as my final message to you was “Colleen I’m out back gardening if you want to talk” xx Pam
Colleen was full of life, always ready to tell a joke and to hear one. Everyone who met her loved her and she them. Most of all she loved her young niece and nephew. She was funny to work with, and always happy.
My heart goes out to Colleen’s family.
Colleen you will always be missed but never forgotten.
To know Colleen was to laugh with her. She brightened up a room and made our Team mates joke together and interact in a positive way. I was shocked to hear of her passing and my condolences go out to her family, friends and to hundreds of co-workers. She will never be forgotten. RIP Colleen.
I worked with Colleen at the CRA. Her big heart & sense of humour was always something everyone valued. That energy will be sorely missed. Sincere condolences to her family in this difficult time.
I have worked with Colleen for several years off and on. I always will remember the beautiful smile she had, and very positive disposition. We will really miss her.
I had the pleasure of being there when Colleen first started with the CRA, from the first moment I met her she put a smile on my face and it is still there. She was kind and witty, a perfect combination. She was eager to learn everything and always complimented others achievements. As our career paths differed she always made a point of stopping and saying hello when we would pass in the halls or lobby. Not just a wave or hello but a genuine, how are you. I will truly miss her. My thoughts are with her family at this time.
I was truly shocked and saddened at the news that we have lost Colleen. She will be missed by all her CRA family and the friends that she made and nurtured. Rest in peace Colleen!
I had the privilege of working with Colleen at the CRA. We connected from the first time we met. I will always remember her for her love of life, her sense of humour and her kind heart. My deepest condolences to her family who I know she loved beyond words.
Rest in peace my friend.
Colleen was such a pleasure to work with. She was a very kind and generous person and was very well liked by all of her colleagues. She spoke very often of her wonderful family. We will all miss Colleen. My deepest sympathies to her family for their loss.
My sympathies for your loss. Colleen was always a positive face at work. She’ll be missed.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family. Colleen was a good soul with a terrific sense of humour. We always enjoyed her company during our Friday Night Meetings at whatever restaurant we decided to visit. She will be missed amongst us.
Colleen was such a sweet and genuine person from the moment I met her. She always had to tell me she was kidding because I take everything too seriously. She did wear me down as I got to know her sense of humour and personality. Every interaction with her was pleasant she is missed. Wishing her loved ones comfort and peace.