Kathleen A. Colley

Left this world for the arms of her husband Bob and The Lord on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. She left as she lived with dignity and grace surrounded by her loved ones. Kaye was born to Barbara and Benjamin Benzel on September 8, 1932 in New Leipzig, North Dakota. She graduated from Southern Oregon College in 1954, where she met her husband to be, Robert (Bob) Colley, who she married in June of that year.

Kaye started her career in elementary education at Roseburg Public Schools that same year. She taught for a few years at Rose, Riverside, Fullerton and Benson before landing at Green Elementary for sixteen years and Sunnyslope Elementary for eight of her last nine years. Kaye's love for children and their education was infectious. She touched the lives of hundreds of her students as well as every person she worked with and for. The faculties at Green and Sunnyslope became student advocates, role models and great friends with Kaye.

Along the way Kaye and Bob started a family. Daughter Pam was born August 23, 1955 and son Lance was born December 31, 1957. Granddaughter Ashlee was born in September 1983. While Kaye was a mentor and role model for many she touched during her years in education, she will forever be remembered as our mother and grandmother. A wonderful woman, who loved us despite our faults and raised us to honor others, value education, and make the world a better place, not just for ourselves, but for those around us.

Way too soon after retirement, Kaye suffered a severe stroke which left her paralyzed on one side, wheelchair bound and dependent on others for almost the last twenty years of her life. So true to her person and life's mission, she continued every day to make the world a better place for others. She was always concerned for her kids and their families, the caregivers that helped her every day and the other residents at the care facilities she lived in after her stroke. Kaye was happy in a world that left her unable to be all that she wanted tos be, but allowed her to be an even greater person than anyone could have hoped when she first had her stroke.

Kaye finally left this world as a result of complications from pneumonia and the stroke that happened almost twenty years ago after a short but difficult struggle last week. She is survived by her daughter Pam McClain and husband Charlie, her son Lance Colley and Janice Essenberg, and her granddaughter Ashlee DeVeny and her husband Daniel. We will miss her every day. She is also survived by her dearest friend Dianne Holborow, who visited her almost weekly without fail. Thank you Dianne for making mom's world better. Kaye was preceded in death by her parents Barbara and Benjamin Benzel and husband Bob in 1998.

We would like to thank the many care providers who cared for mom over the years. She lived at Bridgewood Rivers for the past twelve years in a wonderful, home-like environment where she was treated and loved like family by many. We would also like to thank Dr. Chuck Hundley, who lovingly cared for Mom during these many years. He even made "house calls" to see her at Bridgewood. She adored him and we truly appreciate his medical care and friendship over the years. Thanks also to Dr. John Powell and Dr. Jennifer Jarasa who guided us through this very difficult hospitalization to assure Mom's passing was dignified and comfortable. Heaven is a better place with the addition of Kaye Colley. Bless you mom, we will miss you.

Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church at 820 W Kenwood in Roseburg at 11:00 am Saturday December 6, 2014. A no host reception will follow from noon until 2:00 p.m. at Brix Gather at 517 SE Jackson Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Douglas CARES, the Boys & Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley or your favorite children's charity in memory of Kaye.