Irene Colligan

Irene S. Colligan, 93, of Fort Collins, Colorado, formerly of St. Petersburg, Florida, died April 8, 2008 after a brief illness, at Poudre Valley Hospital. She had been a resident of Woodbridge Senior Apartments of Fort Collins since March 2006. Irene Sophie Colligan was born June 3, 1914 in Mancelona, Michigan, the fourth child of John and Mattie Grosskopf. Her mother died soon after Irene was born; she was then adopted by her Aunt Nellie Williams and husband Jacob. She grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. For many years she lived in the Detroit area, where she raised her children Irene was an excellent cook and a dear friend to many. She loved to travel and liked to walk for exercise. She was a very social person who enjoyed playing cards and participating in pot luck dinners. When her circumstances changed, which happened many times during her long life, Irene adapted well. She is remembered with love by her daughter, Suzan (and Gerald) Waskelis of Lisle, Illinois; son, Paul (and Irene) Overmyer of Fort Collins; step-daughters, Patricia (Colligan) and Fred Krause of Spring Lake, MI, and Kathleen (Colligan) and James Lauder of Minnetonka, MN; half-sister, Marguerite (and Francis) Dionne of Traverse City, MI; grandchildren, Lynn, John, Jerry and Dan and their spouses; great-grandchildren, Tyrone, Maggie, and Kira; step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her three husbands, Charles Overmyer, Victor Deters, and Vincent Colligan. A private family gathering was held on April 10. Her cremated remains will be buried with her first husband, Charles, in Plymouth, MI.