Colleen Marie Wolfe

Obituary Colleen Marie Gaffney Wolfe, "Teen", peacefully passed away surrounded by her children on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. She was born to the late Mildred and Theodore Gaffney on April 8, 1935. She grew up in Tacoma, graduating from Aquinas Academy and attended Marylhurst College in Oregon. Colleen was vivacious, caring and valued family and friends above all else. As the mother of seven children, she had a constant deep and loving involvement with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's lives. Attending births, baptisms, holidays and special occasions, she gave a helping hand and joy to life's celebrations. Answering the call of caregiver with grace and love for all, she was especially dedicated to the care of her eldest daughter, Claire Michele, born with cerebral palsy and her second husband, Charlie Wolfe, after a brain stem injury. As her family grew, Colleen worked professionally in roles that took advantage of her analytic and people skills working as a receptionist at Green Mountain Rehabilitation, Executive Director at the March of Dimes, sales at Spot Reality and an Analyst and Technician at Honeywell. Faith was the cornerstone of Colleen's life. A longtime member and daily attendee at our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton, Washington, Colleen believed strongly in helping those less fortunate, by volunteering at St Vincent de Paul, delivering homebound communion and serving in the parish soup kitchen. She is survived by her devoted children; Dawn (Charlie) Montgomery, Valerie (Pietro) Burns-Rossi, Patricia (Jeff) Burns Elmer, Ted (Lourdes) Burns, Lisa (John) Gyori and Terri (Tom) Kennedy, 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and siblings; Patricia Gaffney, Sharon (Kip) Coy and Larry (Ellen) Gaffney. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 22, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton. Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Interment at Miller Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.