Colleen Delaney Colandene

Born Colleen Marie Delaney on August 5th 1964 to James Joseph Delaney, II and Florence Cannon Delaney in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Colleen is survived by her spouse Chris, daughter Mary, and son Christopher. Preceded in death by her father James, brother Patrick and mother Flossie. Colleen is also survived by her sister Maureen Carpenter, brother Jimmy, and sister Katie Sullivan.

Colleen is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Colleen grew up in the Vietnam era while her dad served in the Marine Corps. She attended catholic schools and studied nursing and earned an Associates Degree in Nursing from Northern Virginia Community College. As a nurse, she worked at Georgetown University Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, Fairfax Hospital and at a nursing agency on assignment. She spent many years as a NICU/PICU nurse working with the smallest patients.

Colleen was with her father when he passed away at home of a heart attack, attempted CPR. She spoke often about him and how much she cherished him as a father and role model for her kids.

Colleen fell in love and later married Christopher Ditmars Colandene on June 26, 1993 at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Vienna, Virginia. Children born to Colleen and Chris are Mary Delaney Colandene, and Christopher Ditmars Colandene, II.

Colleen was intensely dedicated to her family and passionate about being a mother to her babies. All she ever wanted was two happy children, and she did everything in her power to make it so they knew they were loved.

Colleen also loved her dog family, a good party and the beach, and making people feel welcome in our home as many Navy kids visited our home during Mary’s time in Monterey.

Colleen lived on the east coast until fall 2017 when she moved to California with her husband as he continued a career in municipal government retirement administration. Colleen endured health issues including PKD, polycystic kidney disease, and developed odd symptoms in California that were never fully explained.

Colleen’s final day was spent with her husband and son, exploring Monterey Bay whale watching. They had a beautiful dinner and she spent the evening talking about how happy she was, how much she loved her family, and how proud she was of her kids. She had a saying “always kiss me goodnight” and that night was no different.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1475 La Salle Ave, Seaside, California 93955, US, on March 19, 2026, at 11:00 am.