Colleen Lewis

She grew up in Jasper, the youngest of three sisters. She graduated from St. Joseph School in 1958 and Jasper High School with the Class of 1962. She met her future husband Allen in high school, and they started dating while Allen was attending college. They got married on November 30, 1963, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They would have celebrated their 62nd anniversary this year.

Colleen and Allen have two sons – Allen II, born at Stuttgart, Germany in 1967, and Michael, born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1969. They have four grandchildren - Allen has a daughter Julia, 23, and Michael has two daughters and a son, Hannah, 30, Joseph, 24; and Katherine, 21. Colleen and Allen have one great grandson, River, the son of Joseph and his wife Isabella. River will turn two in January. Colleen was so proud of her sons, her grandchildren and great grandson. Whenever she was with them or talked to them, she would light up with joy.

Colleen, from the first day of their marriage, was the always supportive Army Officer’s wife, learning all the right things to say and do. She was especially supportive during Allen’s tour in Vietnam caring for a son who was less than three months old when Allen left; and taking care of both sons, one five and the other three when Allen was in South Korea for 13 months. In 1980, Colleen pursued teaching as an Instructional Assistant in Kindergarten, early elementary and children on the autism spectrum, first at Fort Riley, Kansas, and then in Fairfax County, Virginia. She retired from the Fairfax County School system in 2002.

Colleen was the love of Allen’s life, a partner, a friend, a confidant and a mother, grandmother, and a great grandmother. She was the glue that held the family together. They lived in Fairfax City, Virginia since 1976. Colleen and Allen loved to travel the world. They lived in Western Germany for three years, and during subsequent years, traveled extensively to destinations including Hawaii, Canada, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America, Europe, and various regions within the United States.

Colleen was deeply religious and read scripture every day. She lived her life as the Lord wanted. She was always friendly to all and always had a smile on her face. All will sadly miss her. She is predeceased by her parents, and two older sisters, Sharon Fry and Dianne Reuber.

A Celebration of Life for Colleen will take place on Friday, December 5, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Demaine Fairfax Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, December 6, at 10:00 AM at St. Bellarmine Chapel, George Mason University Catholic Campus Ministry, 4515 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, Virginia 22032. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery later.

Instead of flowers, donations in Colleen’s name can support the George Mason University Catholic Campus Ministry building project. (www.gmuccm.org/campaign).