Colleen H. Vance

November 28, 1929 – May 5, 2014

Her journey started in Calio, North Dakota where she was the first of four girls born to Ernie and Susie (Helton) Korb and ended when she passed away on May 5, 2014 in the home she loved in the Encanto area of San Diego.

After graduating high school from St. Leo’s Catholic School in Minot, ND Colleen left North Dakota for a short stint in business school in Minneapolis, MN and then a short time later to the much more suitable climate of Los Angeles, CA. In Los Angeles she began what would be a 40 year career in the accounting field. In 1955 she married Wyatt Vance, with whom she would share a lifetime of memories until his death in 2004.

After the birth of their first child (Paul), the military took Wyatt and Colleen on a 3 year adventure to Kodiak, Alaska where two more children (Mary and Tom) were born. In 1961, the Navy thankfully made San Diego, CA home base and soon a fourth child (Robert) was born. Home was made in National City and for the next 20 years a family was raised. Weekends were spent fishing in the ocean, the Colorado River and the Salton Sea as well as camping in the local mountains. Vacations were spent on week’s long camping and fishing adventures throughout the west.

In 1980, after the kids were grown Colleen and Wyatt moved to Encanto where they were active in a very close nit neighborhood with wonderful people living all around. Soon retirement was upon them and time was spent gardening and taking long walks through the neighborhood and of course being grandparents, which was as special for the grandkids as it was for Grandma and Grandpa. A motor home tour of the U.S. was a particular highlight. Colleen also enjoyed the neighborhood “lunch bunch” and her Bunco group.

After Wyatt’s passing rarely did she miss a day of senior exercise classes at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center. It was common for her to be there each morning by 5:30. Colleen was also involved in the activities at St. Rita’s Catholic Church where she attended mass weekly as long as her health allowed. She remained actively engaged through yoga, writing classes, genealogy and of course the Alaska Club, San Diego Chapter.

For those lucky enough to have known Colleen on her 85 year journey, they know that she was at once demanding and forgiving; stubborn and thoughtful; tough and kind; frugal and generous; and above all a fighter. There was no quit in her…life had to be lived and she made certain she lived it. She will be missed by many.

Colleen is survived by her four children, Paul (Jackie) of San Diego; Mary of La Mesa; Tom (Eve) of Solana Beach; and Robert (Marina) of Henderson, NV; 6 grand children Kimberly, Matthew, Jillian, Kevin, James and Terrance as well as her 3 sisters Lyla, Jo Ann and Marietta.

A Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 15, 2014 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 5124 Churchward Street, San Diego, 92114.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Ray and Joan Kroc Center, 6845 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115.

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.

Eternal rest grant unto Colleen, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. Amen.

May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.