Colleen Mae Donohoe

Colleen Mae Donohoe (90), beloved wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, friend, and our beacon of love, peacefully passed away December 16, 2023, with loved ones by her side. Colleen led a long and fulfilling life that began in Bowdle, South Dakota on July 18, 1933. She and her brother Mert lived with their parents in McLaughlin, SD until they all moved to Renton, Washington in 1942. Colleen spent her school years in Renton, involved in many school activities from band to religion classes, graduating from Renton High School in 1951. She had an innate sense of caring for others at a young age as her family called her the “little nurse.” This led to her life-long passion for nursing. She graduated from nursing school in Olympia, WA in 1953. She provided compassionate and supportive care during her many years of service as an RN and as a pediatric hospice nurse, being the advocate for all in her care. In 1953 she met Richard Sears (Dick). They were married in 1954 and started a family in Banner County, Nebraska. They had three children (Cyndy, Sally, and Rick). Dick died in a tragic accident in 1958. Colleen moved with her three small children to Scottsbluff, NE. Her friends set her up on a blind date with Robert Donohoe (Bob) who was a widower with three children of his own (Rob, Jen, and Jim). Bob and Colleen combined their families by marrying in 1963. They moved their "Brady Bunch" to Denver and added two more children (Liz and Rose). Colleen ran a tight ship at their Lakewood home. She taught her kids the value of everyone doing chores, finding outside interests, and eating every dinner as a family. Her passion of caring for others was matched by her dedication to her family and community. She was always involved in school functions, and was a resolute member of her Lutheran church, volunteering for church functions, Red Cross, and March of Dimes. No matter how old you were, she had a way of making you feel loved. Colleen wasn’t just a wife, mother of 8, a pediatric hospice nurse, and grandma, she was a great friendly person with a large heart, ready to help anyone at any time!

She is survived by her eight children: Cynthia Flores of Highlands Ranch, Robert Donohoe (Susie) of Arizona, Jennifer Winter (Jim) of Grand Junction, Sally Morrow of Fraser, Richard Sears (Robyn) of Morrison, James Donohoe of Morrison Elizabeth Derr (Dave) of Littleton, and Rosemarie Donohoe of Kansas. As well as 17 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren.  

Preceded in death by parents Edgar H. Blumhardt and Ruby Elizabeth Purintun, brother Merton D. Blumhardt, husband Richard L. Sears (married 1954-1958), and husband Robert D. Donohoe (married 1963-2023).

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” (Proverbs 27:19)

Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 8, 2024, 11am, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. Committal will follow at 2:30pm, Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area A.