Colleen MacEachern passed away peacefully on Aug. 7 2015, surrounded by her loving family.
Colleen was born on March 28, 1942 in Fort William, ON, and lived in Emo, ON until she was 12. Her family eventually moved to Fort Frances, ON, where she later attended Fort Frances High School.
In 1961, shortly after graduating, she moved to San Francisco, CA. She first worked there as a ward clerk at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. It was a job she was always very proud of.
Colleen next travelled overseas while working as a flight attendant for Airlift International, a company that airlifted military personnel home after their tours of duty in Southeast Asia.
One of her favourite (and frequently visited) places was Tokyo, where she enjoyed learning about the culture and history of Japan.
After several years, Colleen returned to Fort Frances where she met her future husband and partner in life, Don MacEachern.
Together they embarked on a 40-plus year adventure together in the business of mining exploration.
Colleen also worked for 32 years at La Verendrye Hospital while raising their three children.
Colleen had many creative interests, including a great love of music and dancing, that she shared with her husband, Don. She enjoyed sewing, and also had a flair for interior design, a skill she used well in the renovation of her family’s home.
She loved to entertain, and was a gracious hostess and homemaker. Creating and sharing beautiful spaces was a lifelong passion for her.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Colleen became a long-time member of “The Royal Order of the Eastern Star.” She often spoke of how meaningful the friendships and activities she had there were to her.
Colleen was a curious and resourceful person who always tried to focus on the “bigger picture” and the basic goodness in others.
She loved her life and her family and friends very dearly. Her adaptable spirit will always be remembered.
Colleen is survived by her three children, Geoff (Heather); Shannon (Hans); and Tara; sisters, Ann McLeod and Patricia Dittaro; sisters-in-law Josepha MacEachern and Sara Beaton; and various nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don MacEachern; her parents, Ed and Marguerite Langstaff; brother, Lloyd Langstaff; sister-in-law, Katherine MacEachern; sister-in-law Christine MacEachern; brother-in-law, Augustine Beaton; and brother-in-law John Dittaro.
A service will be held Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church (209 Victoria Ave.) in Fort Frances.
A reception will follow at La Place Rendez-Vous from 3-7 p.m. Food and refreshments will be served.
Please make any donations to: Fort Frances Community Chest, 939 Third St. East, Fort Frances ON, P9A 1S2, (807) 274-8782.
COLLEEN MacEACHERN
