‘Ray of Sunshine’: Colleen is a pied piper who people love and appreciate, especially her family

“My life felt complete when we started dating. I wish we had met sooner.”

Harry said this about the love of his life, his wife Colleen, and you can tell he meant it. He loves her with all his heart, and he truly appreciates her for who she is.

And rightfully so. Colleen has a great heart, and she is a great matriarch of her family as well. She treats people right, has a strong work ethic, and just sets the tone and the example for everyone around her.

For Harry in particular, he has a wife who is very doting and would do anything for him. She has always provided him a sense of encouragement and security, and he really cannot imagine what his life would be like today had he not met Colleen at work all those years ago… or if he had not seen her in that black dress at the company Christmas party.

At the same time, he has seen what a devoted mother she always has been to her children. Harry came into the picture when Ryan and Jessica were in their teens, and he always saw a caring, providing mother in Colleen.

“She worked her butt off for those kids,” Harry said. “She always was able to schedule vacations. Whatever activities they wanted to do; she made that happen whether it was sports, scouts or dance to name a few. She is just a very aware parent. Before they drove, she took them and picked them up, as well as their friends. She’s just very caring.”

One of the toughest jobs in the world is being a mother. And being a single mother for over a decade makes that job even harder, but Colleen was born to be a mom, so taking care of those kids and not ever giving up on them came easily to her.

Then, the grandbabies came, and she slipped into that role even easier. She is a tremendous grandmother who all the grandkids love and look up to, and they love any chance they get to spend with her.

“All three grandkids call her Nanny,” Harry said. “She became their best playmate. Taking them to Disney, Legoland and vacations to Napa. It was tough for us to move. Before, she saw them every week. After our move, they have stayed very close. She makes several trips a year to see the grandkids.”

That’s just who Colleen is. She loves her family with all her heart, and that has not ever changed.

What has also not changed is how genuine she is. She is someone who you can learn a lot from because she cares so much about so many people, and she does not make people feel less than.

“Colleen sets the example on how to treat and always think of others,” Harry said.

Case in point: during her marathon years, Colleen risked not finishing the Chicago Marathon to help one of her friends who took a tumble during the run. Luckily being selfless and sacrificial pays off, as she wound up finishing the race and receiving her medal.

“She thinks of others,” Harry emphasized. “Colleen is always willing to lend a hand. She is the hardest worker I have ever known. She is so wonderful with kids, old folks and animals. She is like a pied piper when it comes to kids and animals; even with Collen being a stranger they gravitate toward her.”

People are drawn to Colleen’s goodness and kindness, and they appreciate that they can rely upon her. They also appreciate that with her, what you see is what you get. She is a straightshooter, and she is truly genuine, and people love that about her.

Of course, her family loves all the memories they have made with her over the years – Vegas; Hawaii; Napa; Costa Rica; Australia – but what is more important is the time they have gotten to spend with Colleen. Every single one of her family members counts their blessings when it comes to being close to Colleen, and that is because she is the most amazing person in the room.

“Colleen is a beautiful ray of sunshine in my life. I am very blessed to have her in my life.” – Harry