Following up on my first post shared to the memories here, I would like to contribute a second memory here about our wonderful Colleen who, as Bob described in his eulogy to her, was an angel to him and to numerous others, including to me.  I have countless emails in my inbox and voice mail messages from Colleen because she and I communicated often and we both liked  to talk and share and think.  She loved learning and she loved giving. Bob, family, friends, her students, her neighbours, the world - all were important to her.  I knew she always wanted the very best for me and for others. Colleen was truly a person who cared. 

I first met Colleen about maybe 15 years ago in a professional setting, at York region district school board as I had the opportunity to provide feedback on early draft chapters of her fascinating and groundbreaking thesis: A Health Promoting Continuous Learning Sustainable Education System. Among her many accomplishments, Colleen was a dedicated educator and a wonderful lifelong learner. She was way ahead of her time and was researching ecological consciousness, focus on sustainability, pedagogy of kindness, and health and well-being in complex living systems, among other research foci, back when those ideas were not as well-known in educational circles as they are today.  Colleen and I soon became fast friends and talked often. We liked the fact that her first name of Colleen is my middle name. And in addition to academic conversations, we shared about personal memories, disappointments, and hopes and dreams. We talked about the fact that we both love Mexico and wondered if we would ever travel there together. We also had in common the experience of eldercare as she took care of her father for many years and I am now taking care of my mother. I always knew that Colleen cared about me and that she cared about others, and especially that she was in love with Bob. Family and their dogs were very important to her. She had a deep faith that permeated and influenced how she so graciously and respectfully moved within this world.  The last time I saw Colleen, she and Bob were kindly dropping off a meal for my family and I at home, when I was recovering from a cardiac medical procedure at the hospital. She was just so giving, so kind, so warm and so intelligent. I was blessed to know her because she was a true and loyal friend to me. May our memories of a truly good and unique person sustain us during these difficult days.  Colleen, thank you, for being one of my best friends. I miss you but I know that God has you resting in His embrace.  Take care, love Louise

Bob, so sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing. I fondly remember the many lunches the three of us had together.
She was a lovely lady, very bright and very personable.
May her memory be for a blessing.

Joel Hertz



Linda (Santaguida) OHEARN
So sorry to hear this sad news.  
We were high school friends at St. Joe’s/Michael Power.  
Carmel, I have fond memories of our trip to the Bahamas together.  
Rest In Peace, Colleen. Our condolences to your family.  
Linda and Mike O’Hearn

I am sorry to learn of Colleen's death. She was a colleague and friend.

Caterina Valentino

I had the honour of being taught by Dr. Stanton in my most recent Masters of Health Studies course. She showed true passion for the subject of leading and coaching others, as was evident in her kind approach and thoughtful engagement of students. My deepest condolences go to her family and academic community; she will be greatly missed.

My sincere sympathy to you Bob and your family at this difficult time. May she Rest In Peace.

Colleen and I worked on the Aurora/ King team at York Region Public Health. I remember her smile, and warm personality, and lunch get togethers on summer patios. I remember her wedding. May your memories reflect all the love you have known. Colleen had an immense capacity for love.

Dear Bob I am shocked and so sad to hear of Colleen's death. Her commitment and dedicated presence in our Master of Health Studies program will be profoundly missed. Her deep care for our Faculty of Health Disciplines learners was evident as were her scholarly endeavours. This photo is from 2016 AU Convocation, Athabasca, AB. Sincerely, Gwen Rempel PhD RN

I had not heard or seen Colleen for quite some time, and one recent morning she called expressing concern about our mutual friend and colleague Irv Rootman, with the flooding and other disasters plaguing BC. How sweet and thoughtful. The Obituary captured Colleen's spirit so well. Sadly, I could not stay on the line as I was in the midst of a health crisis and asked her to call back in a few days. She did not, and I missed the opportunity to catch up. Colleen was full of energy, a very dedicated and hard worker for the Health Promotion Summer School and other projects. We made a donation to CPHA in honour of her commitment. We send deepest condolences to Bob, her family and all those who loved her.

Dear Bob, 

Offering sincere condolences on the loss of your dear wife Colleen. I am from the Dilworth side of the family my grandfather Joseph was Irene's brother. We met only once briefly following Fred's funeral in 2013 on the steps of St Gregory's church. My mother Norma and the Stanton boys grew up together here in Toronto. We used to visit Fred & Lyla frequently when they lived in Rexdale when Colleen and Carmel were little girls. We will keep you in our prayers and will offer a Mass of Celebration of Life for Colleen. 

Best Regards, 
Carolyne-Marie (Mathison) Petch.

Bob
I have only heard just heard of Colleen's passing.  I casually knew Collen from the time she worked at Aurora High School. 
When I heard the news, a number of images of you passed through my mind.  Although we never worked directly together, I remembered an honest, straight forward person.  My thoughts and empathy are with you during these difficult times.
Fred Sadler

Dear Bob and family,

I’m so sorry to hear the sad news about the passing of Dr. Colleen! I was one of her students in the masters program and she was very kind with her words and continuous effort in ensuring that everyone gets a good grade. I appreciated her sincere feedback to ensure success. I am honored to be her student! Praying for your peace and comfort during this difficult time!

Sally

Bob
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Colleen. I had a deep admiration and respect for her work with the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition and health promotion in our province. I remember her warm, welcoming manner to others as well as her wholehearted passion and interest for the well-being of all members in a community. Together, you and Coleen have left a legacy of care and concern for others that will live on forever.
My sincere condolences to you and your family,
Julie.


Dear Carmel,
The Etobicoke Crusaders Drum Corp community received work of Colleen's  sudden passing.   Although we have not seen Colleen  for many years, she was very much part of our lives while marching  those 4 years with ECDC.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Sincerely, Susan and Janet Butler

Colleen loved our time together. We went for walks 3 to 4 times a week.  She loved the fresh air. Our walks were photo adventures as opposed to counting steps.  She loved taking photos of trees changing colour, birds and other wildlife as did I.  We would take short videos of same.  At the end of our walks she would thank me for being her friend.  She would tell me that she is learning more about photo taking because she watches me and she would thank me.  She knew how to make someone feel special. Colleen was one-of-a-kind!  She would ask me to take a photo of her at the park where we walked so she would have those memories.  Colleen was sentimental.  She would send me photos almost daily.  She was my closest and dearest friend.  Colleen was an angel.  She was a gift to all who knew her. I felt so blessed to have had Colleen as my friend. She will be terribly missed.

Dear Martha and Bob

Our hearts reach out to you and so many others as you grieve the loss of Colleen, truly a blithe spirit whose presence could brighten the darkest day.

May her spirit, caught forever in your lives, bring you comfort and peace.

In deepest sympathy,

Myrtle and Charles Truax



Bob, I am so very sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Colleen. I remember sitting in your office so many years ago watching your eyes light up  when speaking of her. The pictures on your desk said it all.  My thoughts are with you.


Heartfelt condolences to  you Bob  and to your family, on the sad passing of your beloved Colleen.   May her memory always be a blessing 

I remember with great fondness her lovely smile, enthusiasm for life and her excitement about all her endeavours. I especially remember how her eyes lit up when you were nearby. She will be sadly missed by so many.  I hope that the happy times you had together will sustain you in this time of grief and mourning. 

Denese  Belchetz

Very saddened to hear about Colleen's death. I haven't seen her since our years at Michael Power/St. Joseph's High School.  She was a very bright and warm person. Colleen was always kind and compassionate to everyone and never without a smile. I was not at all surprised to learn about her academic achievements or that she was rooted  and so successful in a caring and nurturing profession: that was Colleen! God rest her soul on the Redemptive part of her journey. Prayers for Colleen, her family and all who love her.

Steve McDonnell MPSJ 1975

Bob and family, Dianne and I are so sorry for your loss.  I can almost hear the enthusiasm in Colleen's voice as she describes a course, a conference, or a caring moment helping someone or while on a mission for the good of others.  Colleen's legacy will clearly live on in the lives of so many that she taught,  mentored and loved.  Bob, our prayers are with you at this time.

My heartfelt condolences to you, Bob, and your families, at the loss of your dear Colleen. No doubt, her sudden passing leaves a huge hole in your hearts and your lives. 

I had the opportunity to support Colleen as her Ph.D. thesis supervisor at the University of Toronto. Over the years of our work together I knew how important this goal was in her life. She was a conscientious student who cared deeply about the purpose and process of her research.  In October of 2014 we celebrated her accomplishment as she received her degree. Bob's support was key to Colleen's personal and professional goals and their mutual devotion was so very apparent.  

One of the cards I received from Colleen included the saying: "A thoughtful act or a kind word may pass in a moment, but the warmth and care behind it stay in the heart forever." The warmth that was in Colleen's heart will stay with so many of us forever. 

It was a privilege to be a part of Colleen's life journey. She will be dearly missed. 

Dear Bob, Franny and I are shocked, saddened and so very sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing, we cannot imagine how devastating it is for you and all her family and many friends. She was so full of life and energy, it is hard to see that energy stilled. As you well know, our friendship goes back decades, to when she did her Masters at FES, and then more recently I was on her doctoral committee at OISE. She was always so good at staying in touch, we talked a lot, from time to time, about her career plans. When we last heard from her last month she was as full of ideas and energy as ever, planning her teaching, taking a course with Fritjof Capra, writing a book chapter. And of course she wrote about you and what the two of you were up to, her love for you was always so evident. Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. Trevor and Fran

I have fond, fun memories of Colleen in high school at St. Joe's-
Michael Power in the 70's. She was always sincere and thoughtful
of others. My condolences to her family and siblings who also attended SJMP.  Remembrances and united in prayers at 
Blessed Trinity.      John Vetere (Rev.)

Dear Bob - how terribly sad to lose Colleen.  I so remember her as a dynamo, always interested in the world around her, the people she met and the ways we could make it a better place to be.  I enjoyed being interviewed for her PhD, and getting to know her.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  Bev and Allan.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Dr. Colleen Maura Stanton

9 mars 1956 – 16 décembre 2021

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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