Colleen Mary Hurson, 93, died peacefully Tuesday Feb. 5th, 2019 at Living Care Retirement Community in the company of friends. Colleen was born on Dec. 10th, 1925 in Seattle, WA to parents Claude and Ada (McShane) Floyd. She was raised in Seattle with her younger brother John Floyd.
Colleen was an exceptional student, graduating from Seattle University in 1948 with a degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. She was an avid hiker and went on many adventures with her Seattle U hiking club. While in school Colleen met her future Patrick Hurson, marrying him on Sept 18, 1948.
After graduation, Colleen worked as a Chemist at the Carnation Company; a noteworthy accomplishment for a young woman in post war Seattle. After starting a family, Colleen and Pat settled in Southern California parenting their eight children before relocating to Yakima, WA in 1974.
As a mother of 8 and working as a bookkeeper, Colleen managed to maintain an abundant garden, enjoyed skiing and her weekly swims at the Y. Her favorite pastime was playing bridge and competing regionally as ranked duplicate bridge player.
She and Pat enjoyed many summers boating in the San Juan Islands out of Anacortes with the Yakima Boat Club in their early retirement. Later they continued their adventures together in their motor home traveling with the Sunchasers and eventually wintering in Cathedral City, CA with many friends, where she volunteered teaching English as a second language.
Family and faith were the two most important parts of Colleen’s life. Her greatest joy in life was her family, all of whom she was extremely proud. Her love and loyalty to her children was endless and she supported them through every facet of their lives. She was a faithful and involved member of the Catholic Church and found much support and comfort from her faith.
Colleen is survived by her eight children, Barbara Salcedo and her husband Frank of Alta Loma, CA, John Hurson of Yakima, WA, David Hurson and his wife Sally of Camano Island, WA, Steve Hurson and his wife Laura of Yorba Linda, CA, Tom Hurson and his wife Merrilee of Yakima, WA, Pat Hurson and his wife Aleta of Richland, WA, Maureen Hurson of New York, NY, Mary McNicholas and her husband Joe of Jersey City, NJ. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren, Chris Nowak and his partner Michelle of Alta Loma, CA, John Hurson of Simpsonville, SC, Kelly Goetsch and her husband Rob of Riverside, CA, Kenny Hurson and his wife Brooke of Terrebonne, OR, Stacey Kenny and her husband Austin of Lynnwood, WA, Michael Hurson of Yakima, WA, Kyle Hurson of Aliso Viejo, CA, Marshall Hurson and his wife Catherine of Mountlake Terrace, WA, Scott Hurson of Yorba Linda, CA, Colleen Hurson of Richland, WA and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Pat, her brother John and her daughter in law Dyane.
A celebration of Colleen’s life will begin with a vigil service at 5:00 pm on Friday, February 15th, 2019 at Keith and Keith Funeral Home followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 am Saturday, February 16th at Holy Family Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Colleen’s memory to the Union Gospel Mission in Yakima.
A very warm and special thank you to all the staff and friends at Living Care and to Rocío Diáz.
