Colleen T. Burnett
August 27, 1954 - November 15, 2008
Obituary
Colleen T. Olson Burnett
Colleen passed peacefully November 15th, following a five-year battle with cancer that she always believed she could beat. She was a northwest native, born 8-27-54, raised in Kent and spent most of her adult life in Tukwila. Survivors include sons George and Mark, daughters Lisa and Cierra, grandson Hayden, mother Shirley Olson, sister Molly Forssen, numerous other relatives, and a legion of friends and admirers. Predeceased by son Nicholas and father Morris.
While working as a single mother with Paccar in Renton, Colleen devoted her life to her children including the dozens she fostered over the years. Her household was always a fun and safe haven for her children and all their friends. Whether at football games, wrestling matches, or ice skating competitions, she was always the biggest fan of her kids, and supported them to the utmost. Her focus, determination, and positive attitude have been an inspiration to all of those who knew her, including the great team at Pacific Medical Center, where she spent too much time. She will live on in the memories of her family and friends as a loving, giving, compassionate, and dedicated mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. We all miss her.
Memorial service at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac Friday 11-21-08 at 12:30 PM, with reception following. Donations to American Cancer Society, 728 134th St. SW #101, Everett, WA 98204.
The way we get to live forever is through memories
stored in the hearts and souls of those whose lives we touch.
That’s our soul print.
It’s our comfort, our emotional nourishment at the end of the day
and the end of a life.
How wonderful that they are called up at will and savored randomly.
It seems we should spend our lives in a conscious state
of creating these meaningful moments that live on.
Memories matter.
I don’t know where to begin, my memories of you are constantly on my mind, everyday. When I look at the stars they always remind me of you, so i look at them as much as I can.
I miss & love you.
I miss colleen terribly. She was a second mother to me.
I’ve known Colleen since junior high – and became very close friends when we were in the high school youth progtam at our church. We had many great times over the years – she was such a wonderful friend – I will miss her.
Dear Molly and family,
Colleen was a true fighter and giving person. I always heard Molly speak about Colleen and her kids. The last time I saw Colleen was at Molly & Carl’s anniversary party a couple of years ago and she looked so well and happy with a bright smile. She was really enjoying the special event! That is how I remember Colleen.
Love,
Nicole
I didn’t know Colleen very well or very long, but I feel so blessed to have been able to know her at all. She was a very sweet, kind, gentle, not to mention, very strong individual who adored her children. She will remain an inspiration to me, someone to look up to and try to emulate. A beautiful soul in every way. Peace be with you sweetheart. You fought the good fight. You left your children a legacy. Have fun with God, Jesus, the angels in Heaven and all your loved ones who passed before. Now you can pray for us! You will be greatly missed, and even though the world was a better place with you in it, we are comforted knowing your pain and suffering is over forever. Hope to see you again someday!
My brothers and sisters and I have been very blessed with three special loving and caring sister-in-laws, Colleen was one of them. When we were young and raising our babies we spent a lot of family time together, camping, birthday parties, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas celebrations, Easter egg hunts and lots of barbeques. My children adored their Aunt Colleen and she loved them dearly. When my son Jacob was severely injured in 1993 Colleen was so distraught she said to me “Oh no not my precious Jacob”. With my daughter Colleen was the first and only baby sitter that I would leave her with for the first three years. LaChelle was her little girl and when LaChelle got married her only choice for her maid of honor was her Aunt Colleen. There wasn’t a child on this earth that Colleen did not love and anytime a child got within arms reach of her they got a hug wether they wanted one or not. She was a born mother and I admired her for that. Colleen may have given birth to only 2 children but she was a mother to many. I will forever miss you here on earth. May you rest in Peace.
I knew Colleen through my work with Children’s Services DCFS and she was a foster parent that was very highly respected in our agency. I know how devoted she was to the foster children that she cared for, and we appreciated her for opening her home and heart to the children.She was an amazing woman. I was sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing, and would like the family to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I worked with Colleen at PACCAR Parts, but with all the years neither of us realized that we both shared the exact birthday, down to the year. She was much to young to pass on. She will be sorely missed.
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want:
smile,
open your eyes,
love
and go on.
For what little timme that we got to spend with Colleen we know that she would want us to live by this. Colleen you will be missed. You were always an inspiration. We know that your family will have a special Angel always looking over them. Rest in Peace.
Wynn, Shannon & Taylor Bushong
Sorry to hear about Colleen. It’s been so long since I have seen her – I think the last time I saw her was in the early 70’s when we came out for Molly’s wedding. I hope the family is doing alright, Dudley Duane Diedrich sends his regards also.
My cousin Colleen was such an inspiration. Her faith and strength surpassed anything I’ve ever seen. To survive her cancer for five years is truely amazing. Colleen was dealt much more than her share of hurt and sadness in her life. She was taken way too soon; I take comfort in the fact that she no longer has to suffer. She will be missed horribly, but always remembered.
Brenda
“Nite,” Colleen.
You knew love.
My mom was an outstanding impeccable
person who I love more than any thing else in the world.
I am going to miss her like no other
but I am glad to know she is safe, in no pain, and with God, Papa, and Nick.
I just want to say to her that I love her and am going to miss her so much.
Colleen was not just my very best friend in the world, but my soul Seester. There was no more generous and loving friend and mom in the world and I don’t know how I will go on without her. I knew that if one of the kids did something funny or frustrating I could vent any time to the one person who always overlooked my words and heard my heart. She gave more to my life than I can’t imagine giving to others. I am honored to finish the work she began. Ken and I are committed to loving and caring for Mark and Cierra just as she would. Seester…. I will miss you sooooo much and I look forward to being with you, Nick and Jesus someday. Till then, we got you covered here! I love you.
Linda
Colleen was a wonderful girl.She
was nice and wonder.I think she
was so so giving and helpful.
It was so cute beacuase when
she goes into a store she has to touch every baby.I will miss her.
Colleen,
What an amazing person you were. I am blessed to have gotten to know you and your girls over the past year. You are truely an amazing person and we were all given a gift to have known you for the short time you were here. God Bless you and your family. I know you are enjoying Heaven without pain and those left behind are now in my prayers more than ever.
I’ll miss your couragage Colleen.
I’ll miss your strenghth.
I’ll miss you.
God be with your family in your sted for the rest of their days.
Fly with the angels my friend. Walk the streets of gold. Rejoice as you are free.
My deepest sympathies to your family Colleen for I know that you will definitely be missed. I remember you as a devoted parent of your children and got to know you as our oldest kids George, Nick, Angie and Melanie went to school together. You will live on through your family and many friends. I know you are having a great time spending time with Nick right now.
Jody Flores
Colleen,you will be greatly missed.You were one of the strongest and sweetest ladies I have ever met.Jaden will always remember the compassion you showed her.Thank you for being such a great example to the girls and myself on how we should act towards others.We love and miss you.
Jaden,Alexa&Shannon
We will miss you Our Dearest Friend Colleen
~GOD Guided ~ it is now time to celebrate your life.
We will take good care of Lisa….Until we see you again,
Love you ~ Debby & Mike,
Nicholas, JD, Lisa, Sahvanna, Hunter, PJ, Shye’, Karson, Konner, Paityn, and Kenedi
I know i have already signed this. But that was 3 years ago.. Gosh, where does the time go? I miss my mom. She was my angel. Why did she have to leave me? This picture is of my mom, sister and I. I love you mom
My Friend,
Tomorrow will be 5 years since you were called home to be with Jesus, you are missed so very much. Until we meet again, I love you..