Colleen Alma Fenn, 91, died peacefully on July 14, 2018 at Arbutus Care Facility in Vancouver, BC. Born February 9, 1927 in Vancouver, Colleen is predeceased by her parents, Fred and Solveig (Uldall) Talbot, her sister Norma (Talbot) Seidel, her Uncle Michael Uldall, her grandchild Gareth Christian, son-in-law Ken Christian, and her late husband, Dr. William (Bill) Fenn.
Colleen was a loving mother and friend to many. She grew up on the westside of Vancouver, raised her family in West Vancouver, and returned to Kitsilano in her later years. Her adventurous spirit was evident early on when she cycled through post-war Europe in 1947, covering 5000 miles on her Raleigh 5 speed, along with her good friend Betty Macy. Their return was written up and applauded in the Vancouver Sun.
Trained as a lab technician in the 1940s, she married Bill Fenn in 1951 and lived in Ottawa, Regina, Liverpool, and North Vancouver, before settling in West Vancouver in 1962. She was a volunteer for special needs children at Hollyburn Elementary for many years, pursued studies in ecology and education at Capilano College, UBC and SFU in the 1970s, and continually expanded her artistic talents in bronze and marble sculpture.
Dating back to childhood she enjoyed the waters of coastal British Columbia, first with her grandparents and her mom and dad, and then with her husband, children and grandchildren. Since the 1980s she was an active volunteer at the Friends of the Garden (FOG) at UBC, enjoyed the arts, and she travelled the world extensively, pursuing nature-inspired adventures with a camera and an eye for the wonders of life. Both her children and grandchildren were able to routinely share in her travels. She was blessed with many great friendships with neighbors, the medical community, quilters, gardeners, birdwatchers, members of the church, and like-minded travelers. She maintained close and cherished relations with relatives in Canada, the US, Denmark, England and Ireland.
Colleen is survived by her son Michael Fenn and wife Debbie, daughter Leslie, and son David and wife Deborah Laishley. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Rita, Mark, Michael, Emily, James, William and Christian, as well as five great grandchildren. Very special thanks go to the staff at Arbutus Care Facility, and her dear caregiver since 2011, Chokey Dolma.
A ceremonial mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 2465 Crown St. Vancouver, BC, will be held on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11am. In memory of Colleen and in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to her parish’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Project Advance, or to a charity of your choice.
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