Brandon, Colleen Shirley (nee: Arnold)
It is with great sorrow and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Colleen. Her long struggle with cancer ended peacefully in her home during the early morning hours of April 4, 2002 with her family at her side.
Colleen is lovingly remembered by her husband Murray; daughters Sarah and Laura; father Charles Arnold; her sister Lori Hamilton (Peter) and family; Pat and Ray Brandon; as well as other family members and numerous friends. Colleen was predeceased by her mother Nelly Arnold.
Colleen was born on June 2, 1958 in Chilliwack. She grew up in Courtenay, graduated from Vanier Senior Secondary and went on to attend the University of Victoria, obtaining her elementary teacher’s certificate.
In 1980, Colleen married her highschool sweetheart, Murray Brandon. They welcomed the arrival of their first daughter Sarah Johanna in 1982 and their second daughter Laura Elizabeth in 1984.
Colleen was an avid reader, an excellent cook, a fine seamstress and a lover of the performing arts, but her life long joy was her family.
Colleen found her deepest pleasure and satisfaction in her tireless support of her daughters’ education, dance, and sports. She took great pride in their many achievements.
She devoted her life to caring for her family and creating happy memories for her children. She had the unique capacity to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary - not only for Sarah and Laura but for their friends as well.
Colleen continued to upgrade her education and training to provide care for both home support clients and special needs students within the Cowichan Valley.
A special word of appreciation must go to the palliative care team who made Colleen’s difficult journey so much easier. To Dr. Murray Woods, deepest thanks for his compassionate care, comfort and personal friendship throughout her long illness.
The assistance and generosity of Timber West is acknowledged with deep gratitude. Thank you as well to Colleen’s many faithful friends for their loving support.
“Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave,
and impossible to forget”
In lieu of flowers, donation to the Cowichan Music Festival Society to establish an award in Colleen’s name (c/o Delores Wagg, 6041 Hyacinth Pl., Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y8) would be greatly appreciated.
A memorial celebration will be held for Colleen on Saturday, April 13th, 2002 at the First Memorial Chapel in Duncan at 1:00 p.m.