Colleen A. Wilson

Colleen A. Wilson passed away on June 14, 2016 at home with her family. She died peacefully in her sleep. Services will be held and Colleen will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. on June 25, 2016 at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery located at 10940 E Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler AZ 85248, phone: 480-895-9232

Colleen was a beautiful and cherished wife. She was a devoted and loving mother of three and grandmother of five. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend and an animal lover. She was a kind and sweet spirit who will forever be in our hearts and memories. Colleen was born on January 19, 1945 to John E. Casey and Etta C. Casey (Bishop). Colleen was born in Kearney, Nebraska and lived near Shelton, Nebraska until she was four years old when she moved to Grand Island. Colleen attended schools in Grand Island where she was a majorette and a dancer, and active in girl scouts. She graduated from Grand Island High School in 1963. On November 1, 1964 she married Dick Wilson and together they spent their early years on a ranch in Western Nebraska where they made lifelong friends. They welcomed their first son John in 1966. In the late 60s they moved to Grand Island and had two more children, son Jeff in 1970 and daughter Kathy in 1975. In the late 70s she became an accomplished cake decorator and seamstress. In late 1979 Colleen moved with her family to Phoenix where she worked for ABCO markets as a cake decorator. Through the years she was promoted to Bakery Deli Manager and Merchandiser. All this while raising exotic parrots in her free time. In 1993, Colleen and Dick moved to an acreage outside of Chandler where they continued raising parrots and started breeding Australian Shepherds. They also raised sheep and goats used for 4H and FFA projects. When Dick brought another animal home, her motto of "what's one more?" showed her patience and tolerance... maybe to a fault!

In retirement, Colleen kept busy with crafts, gardening, baking, cooking and cooking some more. She enjoyed watching home & garden and cooking shows. She provided kindness, hospitality and amazing meals to family, friends and co-workers. Although they weren't able to eat out because of her allergies, her kitchen was like a five star restaurant. Some of her specialties were steak, lobster, homemade chicken soup, chicken & dumplings and any dessert ever created.Colleen is survived by son and daughter -in-law John and Heather and their sons C.J. and Alex; son Jeff; daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Jason and their children Gavin, Ryenn & Carter. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father John and Etta Casey. She is survived by sisters Connie and Ella; and brother and sister-in-law Jim and Laurie. Finally she is survived by her husband of 51 wonderful years, Dick Wilson. Flowers are welcomed by the family and donations can be made in Colleen A. Wilson's name to Arizona Humane Society.