Thursday, December 14, 2023
I have fond memories of Colleen Reilly from back in the 1940's growing up together in Broadhead Manor when it was first built. We had fun playing together there as children. I remember well her mother Sally and father Everett and her younger brother, Diggey (spelling?). We lived just a couple doors away from one another. She moved to the Obey House, and I got to visit with her and her family there on occasion. However, we lost contact in the late 40's. I hadn't seen her for over 40-50 years. But one day i was in a supermarket in Bridgeville, along with my mother, and I saw a woman checking out her groceries with the cashier, who reminded me of my childhood friend Colleen. I mentioned it to my mother and she agreed with me that the woman resembled Colleen, so I went up the that person and asked if her name was Colleen, and she said YES. Then I said, "Colleen Reilly," and she said YES. After chatting for a short while, she also remembered me. We compared notes and she said that she had a daughter who graduated from CV in 1979, and I told her I had a son who graduated CV that same year. After that, Colleen and I kept in touch for a short while, and I would run into her in my everyday travels now and again. At one point (about 20 years ago) we would see each other often at South Park Children's Theater where we each were taking our grandchildren. I also saw her at the funeral of Robert Rohal's wife. Robert and I went to grade school together at Kirwan Heights Grade School. After reading Colleen's obituary, I can see why we became friends. I remember well that she had all of those good traits as a child. May her soul rest in peace. I extend my deepest sympathy to all of her family on such a great loss.
