Iona Colleen Maggard

Colleen was born to Richard and Pearl DeShong, both of whom preceded her in death. She grew up in Plant City and attended Plant City High School. As an only child, she developed a strong and caring spirit that would define the way she lived her life and loved others.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Grover Douglas Maggard, and her daughter, Brenda St. Martin.

Colleen is survived by her loving children, Darlene Schenck, Debra Cohen, and Douglas Maggard (Colleen Maggard); her cherished grandchildren, Angel Cohen, Gloria Jones, Teresa VanPelt, Eric Williams, Stephanie Bikowski, Jennifer Morgan, Ryan Baehr, and Adam Barnes; and her precious great-grandchildren, Cole VanPelt, Sydney VanPelt, Bella Bikowski, Ava Bikowski, Rowen Morgan, Grimes Morgan, Lismarie Barnes, and Liam Baehr.

Colleen had always dreamed of becoming a nurse and had a natural gift for caring for others. Although she was unable to attend nursing school because she was devoted to raising her four children, her heart for service never changed. She worked as a nurse’s aide at Tampa General Hospital and also lovingly cared for Mr. Sears until his passing. Caring for others was not simply something she did, but who she was.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. She loved the Lord, her family, and her church deeply. The Chapel-Mango was especially dear to her heart, and she was very active in her church community. Her love for God was evident in the way she served, encouraged, and cared for those around her.

Colleen also found joy in the simple blessings of life. She loved to read, work in her flower garden, do crafts, and spend time at the beach picking up shells. She was a beautiful woman inside and out, and everyone who knew her loved her. She had a gentle, loving presence that made people feel cared for, welcomed, and valued.

Colleen will be remembered most for her strong faith, her loving heart, her beauty, and her selfless devotion to her family. The memories she created and the love she gave so freely will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”-Proverbs 31:25

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.