Colleen Patricia Hautau

After a brief illness and in the company of her family, Colleen Hautau passed away at home in Novato on 20 January

2015. She was the cherished mother of Henry (Gabriella Martinez) Hautau, Matthew (Ginny Hinman) Hautau, Colleen

(Nathan) Bobbin, Alexander (Kelly Craft) Hautau and Mollie (Miguel) Tovar. Colleen was predeceased by her parents

Patrick and Lucy (Corcoran) Finnegan and her beloved sister Margo Finnegan. Colleen is survived by her loving husband

of 47 years, Hank Hautau, siblings Patrick (Valerie) Finnegan, Daniel (Christine) Finnegan, Lucy (Joseph) Boyle, Thomas

(Patricia) Finnegan, Marybeth (Keith) Hubbard, Andrew Finnegan and their adored Aunt Peg, Margaret (Corcoran)

Caulfield. She leaves behind 29 first cousins, 19 nieces and nephews and countless friends. As “Noneen,” her grandchildren

Julian, Finnegan, Katherine, Zoe, Cooper, Stella, Cole, Charlotte, Griffin, Lucy, Madison and Logan will honor her

memory with any number of endearing names and made-up words.

Colleen was born in Union City, New Jersey and moved to and grew up in River Edge, New Jersey. The oldest of 8

children, Colleen had an early maternal responsibility to her siblings. She spent summers in River Edge as a lifeguard and

her favorite activity was to hop on the bus with her friends for a day trip to New York City. Colleen graduated from

Academy of Holy Angels in 1963 and matriculated at Marymount College, spent the summer of 1964 working at the

World’s Fair as a concierge before becoming a stewardess for American Airlines.

In the summer of 1961 at the New Jersey shore, Colleen met Henry Hautau, whom she wed in 1968 and soon thereafter

had their first child, Henry. In 1972, Colleen and Hank moved their family to Singapore, where they spent two years

before returning to New Jersey. In 1978, they moved to Novato, California where Colleen made a wonderful home for

her five children and Hank, deftly balancing a never-ending array of sports, schools and friends until her last hours.

Colleen’s favorite pastime was reading — a trait she shared with her beloved father — and she spent countless afternoons

on the couch in front of her favorite window devouring novels of every sort. She had an encyclopedic memory for

all birthdays — family and friends alike — and set the standard for keeping in touch with her expansive family.

Family and friends remember Colleen for her classic beauty, indomitable spirit, graciousness, her eloquent letters, sharp

wit and humor. They will all miss her dearly.

Memorial service to be held on Friday January 23 at 1:00 at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Novato, reception to

follow. Flowers and condolences may be sent to Keaton’s Redwood Chapel in Novato. Donations may be made to

Hospice of Petaluma.