Colleen Cressey, 84, died at Leon Sullivan Health Care Center in Seattle on Dec. 3, 2006. She was born August 11, 1922 in Lewiston Maine to Bertrum and Lydia DeLong.

Colleen grew up in South Gardiner, Maine and graduated from Gardiner High School in 1940. In 1943 she married David Cressey in South Carolina. In the early years Colleen worked as a hairdresser, but after the children were born she stayed at home to raise them.

In 1985 Colleen and David retired to Whidbey Island from their home in Phoenix to be closer to their son Steve and his family who lived in the Seattle area. She enjoyed outdoor activities including gardening. She was also a faithful follower of the Seahawks and Mariners.

Colleen loved her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. On their 63rd wedding anniversary Colleen and David enjoyed a cruise to Alaska.

Colleen is survived by her husband of 63 years at the family home in Oak Harbor, along with her son Steve with wife Pamela of Renton and daughter Pamela Juarez with husband Manny of Tucson, Ariz. She also leaves grandchildren Manny Juarez, Jr., Jason Cressey and Allison Cressey. She is further survived by four brothers: Sonny, Frank, Elbee and Harold, along with sister Irene.

Services for Colleen will be held Friday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, followed by interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery.