Peacefully with her husband by her side at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital on March 14, 2021 after a lengthy illness fought with courage, strength and grace. Cherished wife of Jim. Predeceased by parents E. J. (Jack) and Nina Bernice (Burns) Whitney. Dearly beloved sister of Heather (Bill) Wilson of Cambridge, Gloria (Ron, predeceased) Gabrielson of Barrie, and Cheryl (Jim) Church of Victoria, B.C.. Proud aunt of Mathew (Nadiya) Wilson of Kitchener, Andrew Wilson of Cambridge, Nicholas (Larysa) Church of Redmond, Washington, and Jena (Kris Bagan) Church of Victoria. Adoring great aunt of Danny and Sasha Wilson, and Kaia Church. Colleen will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her aunt LaVerna Stensrud of Maple Ridge, B.C., by her cousins, her many dear friends and her husband's large extended family of very special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graduating as a registered nurse from Toronto Western Hospital, Colleen enjoyed and excelled in her long nursing career of 42 years as a kind, compassionate and knowledgeable nurse, first at Toronto Western Hospital and then as an ICU nurse in Parry Sound, Vancouver and finally 37 years in the Intensive Care Unit at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.
Colleen loved to travel the world, visiting over 60 countries. She was passionate about genealogy, researching over ten thousand people. She enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, reading and cuddling with her beloved cats. Colleen delighted in using her artistic talents to create exquisite greeting cards, cherished as keepsakes by their recipients.
Special thanks to her wonderful medical, nursing, and paramedical support team in Orillia, Dr. Devon Bhatt, her medical team at Sunnybrook and the caring nurses and doctors of Soldiers' E.R. and C5. Colleen also wanted to thank her loving and supportive family and friends.
Following Colleen's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or service at this time. Interment St. Andrew's St. James' Cemetery, Orillia.
If wished, donations in memory of Colleen may be made to Comfy Cat Shelter or the charity of your choice and can be made through the Mundell Funeral Home (705)325-2231.