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Obituary
Peacefully, while sleeping, Colleen Elmira Janet passed away on the eve of the new year. She recently enjoyed her 84th Christmas with her family in North Bay, ON. Although her health was deteriorating, her death was unexpected, and we are grateful that she was able to socialize until her last day.
She was a brilliant connector and lover of people and life. Colleen was well known for her kindness and compassion and extreme generosity. She never liked to see anyone go without, creating a small food bank in her home, always happy to buy extra food at Costco to distribute to those in need.
Colleen was born in Deseronto ON to Loretta and Clifford Reilly (Predeceased)
The oldest of four children, she loved dearly her brothers and sister. Irvine Reilly, Greg Reilly and Sandra Roy (Predeceased)
She is survived by her 3 daughters Karin (Richard), Janice (Michael) and Cathy, and a special nephew Jimmy (Bridget) Adoring Grandmother to Jordan (predeceased) Cole, Lindsay, Lauren , Jaime and Jake .
Special Great Nanny to Aliya, Nixon and Axel. She loved, and was loved by many nieces and nephews.
Karin and Richard cared for her extensively throughout her later years and facilitated her move to North Bay where she enjoyed the community of Barclay House. The best care provided by Dr. Jinnah will never be forgotten and Colleen proclaimed that “Dr Jinnah is the only reason I’m alive “ on a regular basis .
Colleen was first married to Charlie O’Reilly, the father of their children. She later married Jake Jackson (predeceased), the nicest man on earth.
Her accomplishments were diverse and plentiful. At a time when most women were working in the home, she joined the Irish Regiment and eventually became a Sargent. She loved her country and was proud of her service. She volunteered at legions throughout the years and ran the “big Band” events at Branch 76. As a younger person she attended Army Camp in Halifax where she made lifelong friends. She was the recipient of her 50 year Canadian Legion pin in May 2022. She proudly sold poppies in full uniform, every year. She loved to travel and visited a great many places over the years.
She worked at Sudbury City Hall in the Clerk’s Department, joining the quarter century club and retiring in 1995 along with her boss and mentor Ellen Kerr. She enjoyed the bustle, comradery and importance of the role, making many friends and garnering the respect of many. She was a very pragmatic and hard-working person who valued responsibility and reliability.
As a devout Catholic, she volunteered at St. Stanislaus Parish in Copper Cliff and attended mass regularly. She believed in God and goodness and personified it. She was always available to help a person in need, whether it was by offering money, food, a place to live or all three. She loved life and thanked God for the gift of each new day. She was and is an example to us all.
Please join us Saturday Jan 7th, 2023 at 11am at Our Lady of Hope Church, 591 Brennan St, Sudbury, On for her Funeral Mass.
Donations in memory of Colleen to the Nipissing Serenity Hospice will be gratefully acknowledged by her family.
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January 4 2023
Death notice for the town of: North-Bay, Province: Ontario
death notice Colleen Elmira Janet Reilly O’Reilly January 4 2023
obituaries notice Colleen Elmira Janet Reilly O’Reilly January 4 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Colleen Elmira Janet Reilly O’Reilly January 4 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
