Margaret Elizabeth Collea

Margaret Elizabeth Collea, of Potomac, Maryland, passed away at her home on January 6, 2025 at the age of 77. Margaret was born in 1947 in Adelaide, Australia, to Walter and Margaret "Betty" (Probert) Golding. Margaret is survived by her three devoted daughters: Amy Schaefer, Lisa Collea West, and Jennie Billman; and eight loving grandchildren: Isabelle, Claire, and William Schaefer; Carolyn, Colin, and Andrew West; Blaire and James Billman. She is also survived by her beloved sisters Janet Gardner and Kathrin Steele, along with extended family members who cherished her deeply. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph Vincent Collea, MD, in 2022.

Margaret grew up in Adelaide, Australia, where she graduated from Henley High School. She then received a business degree which led her to work for the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, from 1972 to 1974. There, she met and married her husband, Joseph Collea, MD, then a Major in the US Army Medical Corps stationed in Japan. Living in Japan left a lasting impact on Margaret, and she carried with her a love for Japanese art, traditions, and food. In 1974, Margaret and Joe moved from Tokyo to Los Angeles, CA, and then in 1979 moved to Potomac, MD, where they raised their three daughters.

Margaret lived life with kindness, laughter and a deep love for her family and friends, and she left behind cherished memories and smiles that will never fade. At their welcoming home, she and Joe hosted many memorable holiday, birthday, graduation, and engagement celebrations. Margaret loved to travel, and spent many vacations visiting family and friends in Australia, as well as journeying to Europe, the Caribbean, Sweden, Patagonia, Russia, and beyond. Margaret had a fondness for arts and culture, which included British royal history, Broadway theater, and literature. She was often found immersed in a book, at the library or at her home. She loved dancing, and some of her favorite songs were by ABBA, Queen, and Celine Dion. She was a gifted listener and was known for her generosity. She volunteered at The St. Andrew's School and The Holton-Arms School, and devoted many additional hours assisting at community health centers. Her legacy is one of full of laughter, loyalty, generosity and devotion to family.

In recent years, she bravely fought cancer with grace and resilience, an example of her inner strength. May her soul dance in heaven, and may her memory live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A celebration of Margaret's life will be held from 2pm to 5pm on February 7th, 2025, at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016.

Please wear bright colors to celebrate Margaret’s shining spirit.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the KCNT1 Foundation to help her grandson, Andrew, and is a cause that was dear to Margaret's heart. Contributions may be made online at https://kcnt1epilepsy.org