Colleen Audrey Thor

THOR, Colleen A. Plainwell, MI Colleen Thor passed away on October 11, 2011. She was born December 9, 1925 in Mankato, MN, daughter of William E. and Lillian (Otto) Smith. She graduated from Wittenberg College, Springfield, OH in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in art, and married Gordon Thor the same year. Colleen retired from Kalamazoo College as fine arts secretary in 1987. After retirement she ran a second hand shop, called Junk n' Stuff n'Things, for fifteen years. She enjoyed painting and drawing, sewing anything from clothing to draperies and upholstery, and working on a variety of crafts. She played bridge regularly and participated in garden clubs and a book club. She also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and reading mysteries. She was an environmentalist at heart and spent many hours in her back yard involved in flower and vegetable gardening. Colleen kept a journal all her life and compiled her memoirs into a 127 page document in her later years. Surviving are her daughters Shannon and Alison, son Steven, grandchildren Jessica, Andrea and Michael Penick, great granddaughter Jaida Wilson, niece Nancy Smith, sister-in-law Amy Smith, nephews Lee and Craig Smith, and niece Lynn Smith. She is preceded in death by her husband Gordon, brothers Hamlin and Grant, and son Christopher. Colleen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2006 and moved in to William Crispe Community House, an assisted living dwelling, in 2008. She lived her final years receiving friendship, love, and care from many dedicated individuals. The family wishes to express their gratitude to everyone at Crispe House and Borgess Hospice, but especially to Evie, Audrey, Janelle, Brandy, Linda, Tori, and Mary. If you would like to make a contribution in Colleen's memory, please consider giving to William Crispe Community House, Plainwell, or Borgess Visiting Nurse & Hospice, Kalamazoo. Condolences may be sent through www.avinkcremation.com. There will be an informal open house on Sunday, October 23, between 1 and 3 p.m. to receive friends at the family's home on Miller Rd., Plainwell.