Obituary of SILLER – Colleen Anne

March 7, 1957 – November 15, 2009 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Colleen Siller, beloved wife of Martin Siller of Calgary. Colleen passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2009 at the age of 52 years, after a lengthy illness. Colleen is survived by her loving husband, Martin; her sister Connie, Halifax; her brothers Ronnie (Diane), Sydney, Cape Breton; Frank (Pauline), Halifax; Alan (Murdith), Coxheath, Cape Breton, and several nieces and nephews. Also mourning her loss are her dogs, Sam and Maggie Jiggs. She was predeceased by her parents Lucy and Alan Gillis; her mother-in-law Teresa Siller and her father-in law Joe Siller. Colleen graduated from Sydney Academy High School in 1976; graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1980. That same year, Colleen ventured west to Calgary embarking on a teaching career which spanned 25 years with the Calgary Catholic School System. Twenty-two of those years were spent at St. Bernadette Elementary School, guiding the children of Lynnwood-Ogden and Riverbend communities. The result of Colleen’s teaching approach led to many return visits by her former students. Colleen was active in the St. Bernadette Parish community, where she devoted many hours towards sacramental development classes. Colleen’s devotion to teaching, constant support to others, wonderful sense of humour, artistic and food creations, and her infectious smile, will be sadly missed by her many friends and family across Canada. The family sincerely thanks Doctors Mark Sosnowski, Sean McFadden, Cynthia Card, Steve Angyalfi, Jacob Easaw, Avis Boyar; the Tom Baker Cancer Centre Staff – Unit 47; the entire Palliative Home Care nursing team and the pharmacists and staff at Lynnwood Drugs and Rexall Pharmacy On Call. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church (7103 – 20A Street S.E.) on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church (7103 – 20A Street S.E.) on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. At Colleen’s request, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Humane Society (4455 110 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7). There will be a memorial service held in Sydney, Cape Breton, on a date to be announced. In living memory of Colleen Siller, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.