Colleen H. McAuliffe

Colleen H. McAuliffe, 95, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, at Lemay Avenue Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Fort Collins. Colleen was born on March 8, 1930, in Ogallala, Nebraska to Mary (Schindler) and Henry Lomme. She grew up on a farm north of Brule, Nebraska and was the oldest of seven children: Jerold, Gene, Jon, Patricia, David and Jim. She assumed responsibility early in her life caring for her siblings and helping on the farm delivering milk and cream to sell. Colleen attended first through eight grades at a country school outside of Ogallala. During high school in Ogallala, she sang in the a cappella choir, worked at the local movie theatre and spent a summer working on an assembly line at Goodall Manufacturing Company. After graduating in 1948, she worked at Sullivan’s Department Store. On September 10, 1951, Colleen married Harold McAuliffe of Chappell, Nebraska. Harold was a good friend of Colleen’s Aunt Lorraine Pappas. Colleen and Harold made their home in Chappell where Harold worked in construction as a brick mason. Shortly after their marriage, Harold’s work led them to Hebron, Nebraska where they lived for two years. In 1955 they moved to Fort Collins to live in a home purchased by Colleen’s parents so her brothers, Gene and Jon, could attend Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She maintained this home for her family, her two brothers and two fellow veterinary students. In 1959 Harold built a new home on College Avenue where they raised their family and lived for 30 years. Colleen kept an immaculate house and a well-manicured yard. She was a devoted mother to Kandis, Kevin, Kim and Kris. She was also a loving grandmother to eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She worked as a salesclerk at Montgomery Wards for 13 years. She provided childcare for family members and friends. Colleen and Harold opened their home to many family members throughout the years who were either attending CSU, working in the Fort Collins area or just needed a place to stay for a while. Colleen cared for her ailing father, and she and Harold visited almost daily their mother and mother-in-law who resided in care facilities. Colleen and Harold enjoyed CSU football and basketball games where they held season tickets for many years and were members of the CSU Rams Club. They also enjoyed attending their children and grandchildren’s sporting events. Colleen joined the CSU Women’s Association in 1993. During her time with the association, she was Co-Chair of the Hostess Committee, a member of the Gardening Group and volunteered to bake homemade cookies and work the canteen at the Blood Drive. In 2017 she assumed the position as Chair of the Blood Drive. Colleen was a member of Saint John XXIII Catholic Church for many years. She sang in the choir with her daughter, made communion bread, scheduled volunteers and worked the kitchen at Catholic Charities Northern Mission. Here she prepared and served meals to the homeless. She participated in a faith sharing group at the church as well as preparing and serving meals for CSU students after Sunday evening mass. Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, brothers Jerold, Jon and David, as well as her sister-in-laws Hester and Doris. She is survived by her children Kandis of Fort Collins, Kevin (Lyn) of Thornton, Kim (Rachel) of Fort Collins, Kris (Sheri) of Fort Collins, eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren and siblings Gene (Dorothy), Patricia (Norvin), and Jim (Jan). Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10 am Thursday, October 16, 2025, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church in Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CSU Foundation (Women’s Association), P.O. Box 1870 Fort Collins, CO 80522 or Foothills Gateway Inc., 301 West Skyway Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Interment will be held Friday, October 17, at 11 am at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery in Fort Collins.