Colleen Mary Elizabeth Egan (nee Donnelly)
“I shall pass through this world but once,
If, therefore, there be any Kindness I can show,
Or any good thing I can do, let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
(Grellet)
Passed on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Colleen lived Kindness every day and espoused it to her children at every turn. The Dictionary can surely add our mother’s name under Kindness. She was selfless beyond measure, a great storyteller, and the Kindest soul.
Colleen Mary Elizabeth Egan (nee Donnelly) was born April 20, 1931, in Garson; the daughter of the late John and Kathleen (nee Kenny) Donnelly. Her father John Donnelly was an Irish immigrant and became Reeve of Garson in the 1950s. We are proud to tell you that current day Donnelly Drive is named after him.
Pre-deceased by her brothers: Reverend Kenny, Jack (Helen d.) and Francis.
Pre-deceased in 2008 by her husband of 54 years James L. Egan. Loving mother of Catherine (Charles), James Michael and Maureen (Michael). Cherished grandmother to Sarah, Matthew, Patrick, Joseph, Kiernan, and Tory. Survived by sister-in-law Nicla Donnelly and by her nieces and nephews.
Colleen graduated from the St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in 1953 as class valedictorian. To this date she fondly re-called her years in nurse training and working as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital (downtown Sudbury) and the Regency Residence Retirement Home. She continued to be active in her nursing alumni.
She married James in 1954. They lived in Thompson, Manitoba for a few years then returned to Sudbury in 1962 settling in the West End. They were parents, business partners, active in their community and devoted to their Catholic faith. They travelled to Florida, Alaska, Ireland, the Maritimes, Manitoulin Island and most especially to Eganville.
Colleen loved reminiscing about her childhood summers in Navan with her brothers at their maternal grandparents’ farm; swimming in the Garson dam; time at her mother’s camp in Lavigne and time at her own camp in Little Current.
Along with being a successful business partner she stayed home to raise us returning to the workforce when we were young adults. There was nothing she couldn’t do. We watched her sew her own clothes, knit many sweaters, afghans, hats and mittens, petti point stitchery, make homemade root beer, all sorts of jam, cookies (known for her chocolate chip!) and so much more. We picked blueberries in Garson with salmon, egg and ham sandwiches and ginger ale for lunch. The grandchildren always looked forward to their end of school year picnic under the “Umbrella Tree” with Grandma Colleen, as well as the annual “First Robin Contest”. She taught us via example to visit and care for elderly relatives, friends and neighbours. Her strength in knowledge was evident when she completed crosswords in ink! Her proficiency in Latin and French languages was impressive and she kept her mind sharp while enjoying Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, often answering before the contestants.
We will miss her warm smile, her sense of humour, her respect towards others and her Kind and generous heart. She was truly the best mother anyone could ask for! Colleen was always there for us and for our children with wisdom, time, and Kindness. She is dearly loved and dearly missed. Best Friends Forever.
In memory of Colleen today please be Kind today and “smile at each other for a smile is the beginning of love;” (Mother Teresa); do a random act of Kindness, expecting nothing in return; and continue to show Kindness by quiet example. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Blue Door Café (soup kitchen) and Garson Community Food Bank.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.
Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Hope Church, 591 Brennan Rd., Sudbury on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 10am. Interment in the family plot at the Park Lawn Cemetery. No funeral home visitation. For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheedfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.
Read Less
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Colleen Egan Donnelly Tuesday October 18th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sudbury, Province: Ontario