Remembering Colleen

              We received word last week that our dear friend Colleen Bruce has passed away. I met Colleen when Ed’s brother Charley and she dated way back in the 90’s. Colleen was truly one of the most delightful people I’ve ever known. I loved her because she was accepting of everyone, she celebrated their differences, and she admired folks for just being who they are. Colleen was great fun to be around, always cheerful, always cheering others on. 

               Though we only spent small periods of time together, each and every one of them was memorable. Anybody who ever knew Colleen would have been struck by her fun-loving and easy-going nature. She was an outdoors person--a dirty-boots and wet-parka kind of gal--who loved to hike, kayak, and poke around the woods with her big ole dogs.

 

            I especially remember having the opportunity of visiting her at her home near Boston. She took me on tours to the Massachusetts coast and to the maritime museums where I would have never ventured to on my own. She treated me to a tour of the Salem armory, where she was working at the time with the US Parks service. I'll never forget her leaving me completely alone in a huge room full of real Civil war rifles, one of the eeriest experiences of my life. Colleen was the first organic consumer I ever met. She ate twigs and sprouts before eating them was cool.

 

            To really say how special she was...is to say this...Ed's family loved her dearly even though she was a Northerner, a Roman Catholic, and a Democrat!

            The world is now going to be a little darker since Colleen has gone on. Yet I know where she is now, is brighter. "All is well." Keep shining dear friend. We love you, and we’ll see you again one day.