Colleen Marillyn Ausherman

Colleen Marillyn Knox Ausherman died peacefully on July 26, 2025, at the age of 97 years. Born in Tuxedo, Maryland, Colleen grew up just outside of Washington D.C. to Herman Thomas and Lena Hepner Knox.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Richard Franklin Ausherman (Dick), and survived by a family she adored: daughters Ginger Diane Ausherman Corcelius (Bill) and Penny Lou Ausherman Trentham (Hal), and five grandchildren: Lena Corcelius Rutzinski (Peter), Megan Corcelius Scott (Anthony), Cody Corcelius, Austin Trentham, Colleen Trentham and 7 great grandchildren; Samantha Rutzinski, Andrew and Audrey Corcelius, Olivia, Tristan and Owen Scott, and Ellis Trentham.

Colleen treasured raising her two girls, while nurturing her artistic side in everything from gardening and painting to stained glass and jewelry making. In her early 40s, she went to work for Arlington County, later retiring with Dick to Annapolis to her beloved cottage on the Severn River. When she later moved to Richmond, she sought out classes at the Richmond Visual Arts Center, continuing to learn and create well into her eighties. She even built remarkable stained-glass windows and lamps for her family. She was a lifelong collector of Blue Willow China, known for its distinct blue and white pattern featuring a pastoral landscape with a romantic legend woven into its design. She visited every antique store on the eastern seaboard in search of an unusual find.

Warming every room she entered, Colleen was an eternal optimist who adopted the “Life is Good” mantra, even displaying it on her customized license plates. She had a soft spot in her heart for pets of all kinds, but especially her dogs that brought her such comfort and companionship after her husband’s death. Colleen’s enduring legacy is that we treat everyone with kindness and find joy in the everyday.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Woody Funeral Home – Parham location. Guests are encouraged to wear blue and white to honor her passion for Blue Willow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to VCU Hospice in her memory (mail to: VCU Health, Hospice at Home, 6802 Paragon Place, Suite 201, Richmond, VA 23230). For condolences, see Woody Funeral Home – Parham.