Colleen Helen Derry

Colleen Derry East Wenatchee, WA Colleen offered a light touch and constant sweetness, recognized by family and friends in an 85 year lifespan that began in 1927, with her birth in Laurel, MT. A beautiful child, free from the distraction of siblings, Colleen created an inner world that set out a lifelong interest in reading, in music, in respect and support for Native American history and tribal affairs, in love of parents and family, and in sharing quiet, yet firm, support for anyone in need. Music and higher education took Colleen to University of Montana in 1943. She would later devote 37 years to teaching young students and family piano and accordion, from her East Wenatchee home. The most important men in Colleen's life were her dad, George, and Colleen's husband, Bob "the burner", the well known former fire chief, Ridge to River masters competitor and friend to many. Emerging out of the Depression era and WWII and embarking on a 66 year marriage and love story, Colleen and Bob were each other's life match, perfectly balanced and equally disciplined to do whatever was necessary to get through good and hard times, creating and then guiding their offspring, Pamela, Scott and Robin, and then befriending many in the community. A country woman at heart with her kitchen as special domain, Colleen planned and organized home and family life, carefully nurturing her garden, house and property to virtual self-sufficiency by raising vegetables and fruit, canning and labeling, producing robust homemade meals and setting out wonderful "happy hour" food assortments for the many Valley friends who joined Colleen and Bob most evenings, sitting around their cedar coffee table, sharing stories and laughter. Life moves on through Colleen's husband, Bob, and their extended family and through the wider community of friends who've shared their affection and friendship with Colleen. Memorial Services for Colleen will be held at Telford's Chapel of the Valley on Thursday, December 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. An informal reception will be held afterwards at the VFW hall in East Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, please provide donations to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Colleen Helen Derry

April 2, 1927 - December 9, 2012