Obituary of Colleen Kay Bywater

COLLEEN KAY BYWATER - It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Colleen in her 80th year on Friday June 29, 2007 at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital, in Petrolia, in the arms of her loving family. Married for 61 years, she deeply loved and was loved by her husband and companion Jack. She will be missed by her three sons, Richard (Lorna), Craig (Sharon) and Blake (Suzanne). Colleen was a proud grandmother to Shane, Jesse, Robin, Dustin, Justine, Heidi, Gavin, Daniel, Emilie and John, as well as three great grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered by her niece and life-long friend Shirley Whitcombe, along with many other nieces and nephews who cherished their "Auntie Colleen."� Sadly missed by special cousin Fred Shellswell, that was like a son to her, and by numerous friends she gathered over her lifetime. Colleen was predeceased by her parents Alice and Edward Newton, sisters Eileen, Gladys, Jenny, Betty and brother Lloyd as well as sister-in-law Mary. Colleen was born and raised in Kirkland Lake where she met Jack at 17 who promised her a life that would never be dull, and dull it was not. Colleen and Jack lived in Orillia then Sarnia, raising three sons before purchasing Island Lake Lodge in Northern Ontario, where for 20 years she worked side-by-side with her husband, providing loving hospitality to her guests and employees alike. Her hearty meals and decadent baking were renowned to the fishermen and hunters who visited the Lodge. Her generosity of spirit will never be forgotten. Upon retirement Colleen and Jack gratefully spent their summers on Four Winds Island in Wah-Wash-Kesh Lake and wintered in Homosassa Springs Florida before "settling down"� back in Sarnia. Visitation will be held at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 from 3-4 pm. A memorial service celebrating Colleen's life will be held immediately following visitation at 4 pm on Tuesday in the McKenzie & Blundy Chapel. Cremation has taken place. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital Foundation, Box 248, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com. A tree has been planted in memory of Colleen Bywater in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest.