Mary Susan Colony

Mary Susan Colony (a.k.a. Susan, Susie, Grandma, Memo) joined this world on December 9, 1924 and departed July 26, 2016 to join her husbands, mother, father and other deeply loved family in the hereafter. She had a long, wonderful life of laughter, love, generosity and faith. Her unfailing dedication to her extensive family and long list of friends went a long way to making our world a much better place.

Raised during the depression in the small farm community of Jefferson, Iowa, she learned the value of familial support, humility and the art of making do. The experience of the depression, however, did not diminish her generosity or her support for her country. In 1943 she joined the Women’s Army Corp and served at Scott Field in southern Illinois.

Upon completion of her service she attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where she met her first husband, George Strauss. They began their marriage on Medicine Mountain Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota where they joined George’s parents, Clarence and Mabel Strauss, and his siblings, Marion (Rex Harris and their children Rex Thomas and Robert) and Richard (Loraine Strauss and their children, Griffin, Gregory and Steven). They started their family welcoming their first child, Sarah in 1949 and their second, David in 1951.

Their lives took a devastating turn with the death of her father-in-law followed by the loss of her husband. Shortly after these tragic events she moved back to Iowa to live with her mother Mabel Barker and brother Bill and welcomed her third child, Julia in 1952.

Good fortune blessed her and her young family in 1955 when she married her second husband, Frank Austin Colony (1928-2004). Their family grew to six children with the addition of Sandra in 1956, James in 1957 and Bruce in 1962. Their lives took them to Des Moines, Iowa and then Webster Groves, Missouri where she lived for 55 years working for Epworth School for Girls for 24 years, Mary Queen and Mother Center for a few additional years, and then volunteering at her church, Webster Hills United Methodist Church and The Shepherd’s Center, for many years after retirement.

Her heart grew fuller as she relished in the expansion of her family with the addition of a foster daughter, Susan Nessel Castile (1961-2011), sons- and daughters-in-law Cindy, Marlene, Karen, Fred, Stan, Jeanie, Angie and Jill, grandchildren Kirsten, Sean, Kristen, Garrett, Jacob, Cory, Alison, Lucas, Matthew, Daniel, Reba, Stephanie, Ian and finally five great-grandchildren Everleigh, Eliot, Gavin, Avery and Emily. Her later years were enriched by the companionship of her sweet and loving dog, Snickers, and the compassion, attention and camaraderie of her dear friends and staff at Bethesda Orchard Senior Living.

Her life was always guided by her faith in God and the teachings of Jesus. All the lives she touched were made richer and more meaningful by her grace. Her absence is deeply felt, but her loving and generous spirit will remain with us always.

Memorial services will be 10 AM Saturday, August 6, at Webster Hills United Methodist Church. Reception to follow in Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Webster Hills United Methodist Church, 698 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 or The Shepherd’s Center, 1333 W. Lockwood Ave., Glendale, MO 63122.

Arrangements under the direction of Gerber Chapel, Webster Groves, Missouri.