Colleen Rose Simmons

Colleen was born on September 11, 1947 in Portland, OR, to Lynn and Mary McKeel. She grew up in Gresham with her parents and three siblings. From an early age Colleen had an Irish spark in her eye and kindness in her heart. Family and friends were her passion and delight.

Colleen attended Gresham High School, before attending Oregon State University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Colleen married the late Michael "Mike" Simmons of Elkhorn, NE, and the two remained inseparable for almost 35 years. Colleen chose to work in the home after their daughter, Megan, was born. She was a doting mom of her only child. Later, Colleen enjoyed working in retail at The Glass Butterfly in Gresham and with art at The Real Mother Goose in Portland. She loved talking with people, hearing their stories, and telling anyone who would listen about her four beautiful grandchildren whom she adored.

Colleen is survived by her daughter Megan (Caleb) White of Colorado Springs, CO; four grandchildren, Andrew, Daniel, Elijah, and Adelyn; a brother, Michael (Diane) McKeel of Gresham, OR; two sisters, Dixie (Dennis) McKeel of Portland, OR and Maureen Swaney of Bend, OR; and loving nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Please join us as we celebrate Colleen's life at Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122nd Ave., Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oregon Health & Science University.