My Aunt Colleen

March 3, 2007 /

ColleenToday would have been my Aunt Colleen’s 55th birthday, had she lived. She died of an unexpected brain aneurysm at the age of 43. This picture is her High School graduation photo, circa 1970.

I’ve been trying to decide what to write about my aunt, who left us far too soon. I remember babysitting for her when I was young, dancing to “Abby Road” with her young daughters, Jenny and Kristy. Aunt Colleen bought me my first pair of shoes, when she was 13 years old. When I was 11, and let a rat come and make a nest at the back of my head (figuratively, not literally), she patiently picked out the knots, when my mom was ready to have me cut my hair.

The story that impresses me the most about my Aunt, however, is one that had nothing to do with family. She and my uncle were living in an apartment building, and one night as they were trying to sleep, they were treated with the sounds of a domestic dispute. She lay there in her bed, hearing things escalate, to the point where the woman was screaming and begging for help, and she could hear the sounds of blows and punches through the wall. Finally, Aunt Colleen got angry enough that she went next door and pounded on the door. The husband opened the door, and Aunt Colleen told him he needed to stop what he was doing and leave his wife alone. He showed her a gun, and told her that she had better mind her own business. She said, “Well, you’re going to have to shoot me then, because I’m not leaving without your wife.” Thank god, he didn’t shoot her, and the police came and took the abusive SOB away. I cannot imagine having that kind of bravery, to stand up to someone like that, but that’s how my Aunt Colleen was. She had a fierce temper, and could not stand to see someone being hurt by someone more powerful.

Years later, my mom was applying for a car loan with a local bank. She was self employed, and it was questionable as to whether she would qualify for the loan. The loan officer, seeing her last name, said, “Are you related to Colleen?” My mom said that yes she was, Colleen was her sister. My mom got the loan that day, no further questions asked. See, the loan officer was the woman who was being beaten that night, and she said she fully believed that her husband intended to kill her, and that he would have, had my Aunt not intervened. Hearing that story always makes me so proud to be her niece. Happy Birthday, Aunt Colleen. I miss you.

13 Comments

  • CuriosityKiller

    March 3, 2007 at 11:22 am

    This world needs more people like her. The world will miss her because of the story you told. What a wonderful way to remember a wonderful person. My regards to you and your family.

  • MsMamma

    March 3, 2007 at 1:09 pm

    J- What a beautiful woman in so many ways. How sad she had to die. I always think it’s so weird to pass these markers… like when you turn 43 and realize all that you’d have to leave behind if you were to die. Devastating.
    A nice memorial. Thanks for sharing your Aunt Colleen here. Sorry you had to lose her so young.

  • debra

    March 4, 2007 at 9:25 am

    What an amazing person! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if every young person had someone like that in their lives as a role model?

    Thank you for sharing…

  • Kvetch

    March 4, 2007 at 6:50 pm

    OMG my hand covered my mouth. It reiterates what I know. You get what you give. Your Aunt Colleen’s bravery gave this woman a chance, and she gave your mom a chance to own a car with that loan. I don’t believe in coincidences. Not this week anyway. Thank you for sharing a little bit of Aunt Colleen anyway, although just turning 43 it made me somewhat spooked, and sad.

  • star shine

    March 5, 2007 at 10:22 pm

    An amazing story of an amazing woman of courage! She saved someone’s life and risked her own in the process. Thanks for writing about her here. Although her journey on earth was short, her impact and influence endures.