Lois E. Colburn

"She believed she could, and so she did." Lois E. Colburn's journey on this earth ended peacefully on December 30, 2021 at Mason Christian Village (Mason, OH) where she had resided for 3.5 years. A former resident of West Chester, OH and a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, Lois was born on December 16, 1928 in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Lois lived out her 93 years to the fullest. She was the daughter of the late LeRoy and Grace L. (Sheaffer) Esaley, and she was united in marriage to Donald L. Colburn of Waverly, Iowa on June 6, 1952. Donald preceded Lois in death. Lois was educated in the Hanover, Pennsylvania Public Schools, received many scholarships, and graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Lois taught and was Theater Director at Juniata College for a brief period. Also, earlier in her life, Lois was a long-term resident of North Manchester, Indiana where she served in many roles ranging from nursery schoolteacher to college instructor to Mental Health Association Executive Director, and where she spent many years working at home raising two children, Chris and Erica. Lois had a lifetime love of learning, reading, writing, art, walking, gardening, museum going, bird watching, and volunteering, and adored movies and the theater. Lois was also fortunate to have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with her family and cycled across Europe twice. Lois was a gifted, intentional, and introspective person. She wasn't one for small talk, so was sometimes misunderstood, and often - sadly - mistaken as withdrawn. However, if one took the time to get to know Lois, it was readily apparent that she was a purposeful person full of passion for the people and interests she loved. A plaque that adorned Lois's bedroom conveys the essence of this gutsy and tenacious woman: "She believed she could, and so she did." In addition to her parents and spouse, Lois was preceded in death by sisters, Joyce Shaner (Hanover, PA) and Phyllis Wyvill (Upper Marlboro, MD); and brother, Bob Esaley (Hanover, PA). She is survived by her son, Dr. Christopher Colburn; her daughter, Erica Colburn; three grandchildren, Bryce VanStory and Caleb and Madeline Colburn; her sister, Carol Steger (Jim); many nieces and nephews; her dear friends, Debi Williams and Nina Coyle, and countless other friends. A private celebration of life service will be hosted by the family at a later date. The family extends special heartfelt thanks to the staff of Mason Christian Village and Dr. Charles Eger, M.D. For those wishing to leave notes of remembrance or expressions of sympathy, please post them to www.Webb-Noonan.com for the Colburn family. In keeping with Lois's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (https://www.unicefusa.org/), or a Public Radio (NPR) station, a food pantry, homeless shelter, or local Humane Society of your choice.