I have been often told how blessed I have been! No argument! I have. I offer the following 4 minute video in tribute to the most beautiful girl that GOD gifted to this poor south end boy! And also share the eulogy (edited for this page) at the Celebration of her Life at St. Ignatius Church. Fittingly born on November 1st, ALL SAINTS DAY…within our CHRISTIAN faith! What a woman! And without a doubt….having cared for & about so many, before leaving us …Colleen was a poster girl for WOMEN FOR OTHERS~
Celebration of Colleen’s Life at St Ignatius Church by her husband John Robertson….
“For the WOMAN in RED!”
Thank you so so much for coming here today to honor Colleen’s life. I could speak forever about Colleen but I ask GOD to let me do her justice within the few minutes that I have. But should any of you come across me, anywhere, anytime, please feel free to ask me about Colleen! But also be forewarned, that rather than telling you about how Colleen struggled, I will choose to tell you about how Colleen LIVED! Our families are in pain, our families are suffering a tremendous loss.
Because of my faith, I know Colleen is in a better place! And one of the tenets of my faith is to look for the ‘face of CHRIST’..in those within my path AND to also do my best to show ‘HIS’ face. And I have been fortunate enough to have seen CHRIST’S FACE in every doctor, in every nurse, that had cared for Colleen, and in every face that has ever loved her! Colleen was FITTINGLY born on ALL SAINTS DAY, NOV 1st (same birthday as her sister Arlene)! When I met her, she said she was 19 but 10 months later ..expecting to celebrate her 20th birthday, I discovered that she was only turning 18! But by that time, I was madly in love with her and no matter what…NOT willing to let her go!
Colleen was shy, demure, and always intent upon deflecting any limelight away from her…and onto others! Before I met her sisters, she said… ‘You are going to think my sisters are better looking than me…’ Colleen soon discovered that I ONLY had EYES for her! And to her very last night.. I could still coax her into gifting me with her sexy ‘tweak’ of her nose and in return, make her blush!!! And when she was down, be it struggling with her health…or anything else, I could always get her to smile! I would simply say softly to her …” Colleen! I bet I can make you smile within 3 seconds but you MUST look at me!” She never failed to smile in all of those 33 years! Not once!!
Colleen deserved everything, yet asked for nothing! She was my ONLY addiction! Without any acrimony, each of Colleen’s six siblings would readily admit that Colleen was their closest sibling! She was the glue…that held things together! She lost her father (heart) just a few years after I met her, then she watched us play touch football from the sidelines at Grant Park as her 24 yr old brother, David…died while playing (heart stopped)! Pain and suffering were no strangers to Colleen…as it is seemingly to all families ! But oh…did she also have joy and happiness!
Colleen was so proud of our sons, and of her love for them…and theirs for HER! Our sons friends became part of our family! Our daughters friends ….the same! And our daughter, Ricki was inseparable from HER MOM! THEY…were BEST Friends. And did absolutely everything together! With Ricki’s daughter, our grand daughter, Mila…living at home with us, was Grandma’s little miracle girl!!! So…so many times, when out with our grandkids…people would be in shock…when Colleen would be mistaken for being their mother…not their grand mother!
Colleen did not fear death…but only of LEAVING US BEHIND! When Colleen first took sick in 1990, at age 34 (cardiomyopathy <enlarged heart>) .. functioning at only 8%, we raced to London’s University Hospital, one of the top five transplant hospitals in North America! Over these past 16yrs, Colleen was returned to us…not once …but twice! And the second time, when it looked like she would not make it through the night, she was baptized and given the last rites in ICU at Health Sciences Centre Hospital on the Feast of St Joseph, with Uncle John & Aunty Betty…bedside as her GOD PARENTS! Within a few hours of the baptism and last rites, she improved enough to board an emergency Cessna Jet…for another ‘race to London’! A race that she had won before, and would win again.
Twice she arose from the ICU bed …she came back for all of us! She was able to see the birth of four of her grand kids, and the births of many nieces & nephews. She was able to enjoy the best possible additional seven years that she possibly could! Selfishly, I would give all…to be with HER right NOW…but as I promised Colleen, DEAR LORD…I ask that you grant me the longest LIFE possible to be here … to care for family and do YOUR WILL as YOU so wish! And in my efforts, LORD, when I stumble, please, please, pick me up and carry me once again…to do what Colleen expects of me!
And Colleen: I will take care of YOUR home here on Earth, as you prepare OURS…in Heaven! Special thanks to all who looked after Colleen over the years, especially Ted Cuddy, her doctor here in Winnipeg, her team of doctors and nurses in London and all whom befriended her at four Winnipeg hospitals! YOU WERE ALL ANGELS…caring for OUR ANGEL!
And the best way for me to end this tribute, is with a beginning! In truth, with two beginnings! Both on Jan 14th…exactly 26 yrs apart! It was Jan 14th, 1973 just after 11:30pm that I first set my eyes upon Colleen. Becoming a single dad at age 20 with full custody, raising two diapered boys, after dropping my boys off at my sister Theresa’s who would care for them while I worked the night shift at the railroad and took part time courses at the U of M, I slipped into the Norlander Pub on Pembina! The bouncers, friends of mine, would allow me to ‘sail’ right by the stacked line up, knowing that I was just in for my usual weekly quick visit with my U of M football bison buddies and one drink and one dance before going to work.
I asked the Bison buddies…who always took the very first table inside the entrance so they could see every girl that walked in. I said… ‘Guys…Who is the best looking girl here tonight?’ They pointed to Colleen…in the midst of 400 people! The guys said she was turning everyone down when asked to dance! She was wearing a red sweater, high waisted jeans, and had an auburn sheen to her beautiful past shoulder length hair! She was simply…simply.. stunning! I told my U of M guys who had all failed to gain a dance with Colleen, that I would be dancing with her within 5 minutes! Not wanting to risk rejection at her table, in front of everyone…I hoped she would head to the restroom! AS I checked my watch, I said a quick prayer! ” Dear GOD, please let her go to the washroom!” I then looked up and over to her table…and wouldn’t you know it; she got up and was walking over in that direction!
It was time! I walked quickly and with all the Bison buddies watching, I waited outside the washroom! As soon as Colleen exited ..I shot my arm across her path and leaning against the wall ..stopping her!… (something Noah would do <Ryan Gostling/Notebook). Before I could say a word…She nervously but gently punched my stomach saying.. ” I know who you are! You are that football star who has custody of his boys! My girlfriends have told me about you!”
I replied ….”You are the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen! Would you give me the honor of just one dance…one dance only…before I must leave for work, just three minutes; and you can walk away at any time!” To my utter delight, she smiled and said “YES!” I grabbed her hand and cleared a path hurriedly to the dance floor. Then THAT song started playing! That dance was to Van Morrison’s : Brown Eyed Girl! As if it was all about Colleen! Several dances later…late for work, with her in my arms and above the music I said ” Colleen! I must get to work! Can I please have your phone number?” Colleen, with her warm lips, whispered into my left ear “452-2373!” My heart jumped!! I would have gladly settled for that three minute dance with Colleen …but she chose NOT to walk away…but to stay…and stay she did…for 33 years!!
And that second beginning? On that very same date…January 14th, two and a half decades later in 1999, it was exactly 6:52 in the evening when the birthing nurse hurriedly brought little Mila and placed her in my arms! Of note, months earlier, we were told by the tech at St Boniface Hospital, to get a ‘blue’ blanket ready for the baby pic (it would be another boy!) but I said “No! Its going to be our first grand daughter!” We were already proud grand parents to two boys, Jacob and Joshua, and with Colleen on the heart transplant list, pager in her purse, and unsure if she would even be alive for another birth, we both were anxious to know what GOD would be bringing us!
The hurrying nurse extended her arms…saying “Your daughter and wife say that you should hold your grand daughter first!” Little Mila had ”Mick Jagger” lips! The nurse then said she must still go weigh and clean little Mila up! Just before giving her back to the nurse… I kissed Mila’s forehead and said to her “You are 7 lbs 12ozs!!” One hour later, that same nurse came back to confirm “Mr. Robertson!!!…she IS 7 lbs 12ozs!!”
Forever after, little Mila would be known as Grandma’s Miracle girl…the baby that came home with us…to live with us each and every day! To give Colleen almost another full 7 yrs! A baby crying in our home! A baby laughing! A baby living..each and every day of the rest of Colleen’s life! Yes, Grandma’s little miracle girl!
Many have asked me how do I know there really is a HEAVEN? I could write pages with respect to the miracles I have been witness to over the years, and also provide you with many theological arguments by those much more ‘knowing’ and ‘faithful’ than me..but I prefer a short and loving answer! I believe in Heaven because I have lived and slept with an ANGEL! Please hold your loved ones a little closer ..hold them a litttle tighter…and hold them a little longer! Please please let your shields down and let love flow…both in & out! And don’t put off telling another that you love them! Don’t wait! Show it now! Say it now! Do it now! And DEAR LORD GOD, please wrap my Colleen in your arms…please keep her warm & waiting…for me…. for all of us!
I love you, Colleen… and will see you again! But not just yet! John…