Colleen Joy Campbell

Colleen Joy Campbell, who just turned 81 years young, a very strong determined, hard working woman made her final decision on December 28, 2019 to depart from this world and join family and friends and pets who have gone before her.

She gave us time to share our memories and thoughts with her, she listened patiently while we expressed our sadness, she listened to music and no doubt had some of those Technicolor vivid dreams she could recite all the details about. We like to think that the black cat she was sure kept coming in and out of the bathroom was in her arms as she left.

Mom was born in Sycamore, Illinois to Helene E Campbell and Horace (Rip) Campbell. She graduated from Sycamore High School and attended Northern Illinois University. She had one big brother Ted Campbell and a half sister Suzanne. The loves in her life were John Bowman, Ken Kelso, Russell Christensen and James Crowley. They have all passed prior to her. Along with multiple dogs and cats, I’m sure they are all eager to reunite.

She mostly grew up on her grandparent’s farm in Illinois, and she loved to talk about them and the farm. We moved to Kansas when she and Russ married. She had worked in a pickle factory when her kids were young very and they only remember going in the factory and how awful it smelled. She went on to sell insurance at several different companies and excelled at it. When Colleen moved to Kansas she got her real estate license and she loved the variety and people that it brought into her life. Colleen then went on to work for Safety Federal Savings until they went out of business. She started at Commerce Bank in 1993 and she retired from there in 2016 at 77 years of age. She often considered her coworkers to be like family to her and she missed them.

Mom had a variety of interests, she also had a quick wit and at times…no filter. She was known for her sense of humor with her unique touch of sarcasm which all combined together for some really interesting and hilarious conversations. Her outlook on life was special and she loved each one of us for the unique individuals we are.

Some of her favorite hobbies were bowling at King Louie, she was quite good at it and has passed her love of it along to her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing bridge, getting everyone together at different homes to eat, drink and laugh. We knew it was our turn when all the snacks arrived and she kept vacuuming. She belonged to Mensa and loved the friendships she made there. She loved to read mysteries, loved to read period- which again has been passed along to several of us. If you ever needed to catch mom between jobs and activities it was in the tub. Bubbles, a book and a bowl of ice cream melting just enough. She read in bed too but the tub is where you could get her full attention.

She had cancer and beat it three times – starting in her 20’s and the last was in her 60’s. Her final time beating breast cancer, she lost her hair and it didn’t faze her. When it grew back it was so curly and she was thrilled. She dressed up as G.I. Jane at work for Halloween. She so wanted it to stay curly but it eventually went back to being straight hair that never fully went gray.

She joined the Red Hat Society when she turned 50, she went to events and rode in parades and had a blast with it. She also loved to swim, and float, and float and…float. She often would tell everyone that she didn’t think she could ever drown because she floated so well.

All our lives she loved to sing and her voice was deep and you could hear that she enjoyed every moment. She sang with the Sweet Adeline’s and in the choir at church. I’m pretty sure that was the main selling point for her to be up and at ‘em so early on Sundays. We woke up to “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, “You are my Sunshine”, and “Too-Ra-loo-Ra-loo-Ra, an Irish Lullaby” and often she soothed the grandchildren to sleep with the same songs and a backrub.

Mom taught us a lot, by her actions, by her words, by her winks. We will continue to honor her and she will be a part of everyday – she will never be far and she surely will let us know she is near.

Her loved ones include: 2 daughters Cathy Prather (George Hart) and Beverly Kaiser (John); 6 grandchildren Christopher Johnson, Joseph Prather (Viviana), Jennifer Fultz (John), Amanda Draves, Tabitha Kaiser, Stormy Kaiser; and 7 great grandchildren Kayla Johnson, Nicholas Prather, Kylie Land, Mia Prather, Giovanni Land, and Lucas Prather.

Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Services; January 9 2020, in Mount Moriah Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 Visitation; 10am with a Service at 11am 816-942-2004

The family would like to thank all of the employees at Shawnee Gardens Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Shawnee Kansas. Where mom has resided for over the last year. We appreciate everything that they have done for her and treating her with love and respect and a whole lotta humor. Also, thank you to everyone from Elara Hospice for their care for not only mom but for our family as well.

Donations if desired to benefit homeless rescue animals: www.tarasdream.org