We Remember
MULVIHILL, Colleen Linda (née Stewart)
March 26, 1952 — April 5, 2021
On Monday, April 5, 2021, surrounded by her loving family, Colleen Linda Mulvihill (née Stewart) peacefully completed her journey with pancreatic cancer. Colleen faced her journey with courage and grace, inspiring all of us.
Colleen is survived by her husband Paul; her daughters, Shannon (Alex Lyons), Kelsey and Rebecca; and her granddaughters, Jocelyn and Carys Lyons. She is also survived by her sisters: Sandra (Mike) Bjarnason, Kate Stewart, Jennifer Stewart & Julie (Dave) Crawford; her aunts and uncles: Rosemary Stewart, Don and Shirley Ross & Ken and Barbie Ross; Paul’s siblings and their spouses (the outlaws); and her many cousins, nephews, nieces & dear friends.
Colleen Linda was born at Kelowna General Hospital on March 26, 1952, to W.W. “Bill” and Jean Stewart, the first of six siblings. Colleen grew up in Kelowna, BC until her family moved to Green Bay, BC in her early teens. She graduated from George Pringle High School, and in 1969 she left Kelowna for Vancouver, BC, to attend the University of British Columbia, where in 1970, she met Paul.
In 1972, Paul and Colleen were married and in 1975, they returned to Kelowna where they raised their three daughters.
Colleen lived for visits, gatherings and parties with her large extended family and her friends. She was happiest when she was socializing – sharing stories, playing cards, going to the beach or annihilating the other team in charades. Colleen had a laugh that filled the room and a smile that made you feel special. She was kind, generous and loving. She had a way of putting people at ease and making them feel important and heard.
Colleen believed in contributing to her community and spent countless hours volunteering with Paul at Jaycees and later Rotary, at her daughters’ schools, with Girl Guides of Canada, Viva Musica Society and at other community events as well as playing in the Okanagan Harp Orchestra.
Colleen’s favourite role was her more recent one as Lollie to her beautiful granddaughters. She loved spending time with them, introducing them to the harp and the piano, reading to them and being the best grandma they could ask for. Colleen’s spirit and love of life will live on in her family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful family and friends who have supported all of us on this journey, particularly in the past three months. Your gifts of time, food, flowers and memories have given us strength. The family would also like to thank Dr. Michael Hopman and the compassionate and caring Palliative Care Team HCCB.
Donations in Colleen’s memory can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
At Colleen’s request, there will be a Funeral Service. Due to Covid-19 it will be a private family affair by invitation only. The family would like to invite all who wish to view the service to join by Livestream on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 2:00 pm (See Below). A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
LIVESTREAM:
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BC Cancer Foundation Link: www.bccancerfoundation.com
Condolences
We are so sorry for your loss and know what an important role Colleen played I. Your lives and how much she will be missed.. I only met her a couple of times but she was always welcoming making her home feel like my home.. Hugs to you all.
I was so saddened to hear of Colleens passing. Sucb a lovely lady.. I have fond memories of Colleen and Paul driving me to Kelowns when I first arrived in Vancouver many years ago and drove me to Kelowna to join the Stewart family. (My cousins). Sending Love and Light to Paul and Family and the extended Stewart family. Ann Magoufis (Stewart)
To Paul
Our thots and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing.
Alan and Bonnie Mackenzie
Colleen was a force of love and energy. We loved her and really enjoyed being with her and the family. We are so sorry for the loss of of your, and our, lovely Colleen.
So very sorry to hear this sad news. Colleen was always so warm and welcoming to me during my time with Viva Musica. My sincere condolences.
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU. JIM AND LORENA WOOD
Condolences to All the Family 💐🎶💜
Colleen was the “dream volunteer!”
In our time at Viva Musica she was always there for All of us!!! love to All
Roslyn Frantz
To Paul any family.
I am so sorry for your great loss. I remember how you cherished Colleen and how she was everything to you. I remember when you got her that most beautiful harp and how excited she would be to get it. She was an amazing person and a friend to many. I feel blessed to have known such an amazing person. I wish you strength and comfort as you go through this most difficult time.
Paul and family. so sorry for your loss. Our condolences to you and hoping time will help you move from grieving to celebrating a life well lived.
Marg and I were saddened to learn of Colleen’s passing. As we watched the tribute video we were instantly taken back to the time we were friends and work colleagues. Our sincere sympathies to you and the children.
So very sorry for your loss, Paul. Keeping you in my thoughts this week.
John Pouliot (Rotarian)
Paul, our most sincere condolences to you and your family. on Colleen’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Our heartfelt condolences as well as prayers to Paul and family.
Our hearts go out to the Mulvihills and the Stewarts during this incredibly sad time. The beautiful tribute and video highlight what a remarkable woman she was. I cannot begin to imagine how much she will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Laura and Brian Jones
I’m so sorry to hear of Colleen’s passing, my heartfelt condolences. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. My love and deepest sympathy goes out to you all.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Colleen’s passing. It has been some years since my last contact but I remember her fondly as Linda. My condolences to Paul and family.
Dear Paul and Family: With Deepest Condolences on the loss of your dearest Colleen. May your treasured memories bring you comfort in the days ahead. Sincerely, Melanie
Paul and family… we are so sorry for your loss. Colleen, our forever “bridesmaid” was a special guest at our wedding. Her joy and happiness for us made our day even more amazing. Remarkable woman with a heart of gold.. unforgettable!
Paul and Family. Please accept our sincere symnpathies on the passing of Colleen. We enjoyed her great hospitality at the Rotary Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner events and Jenny enjoyed the bridge games. She will be missed. We have made a contribution to the Rotary Foundation in her memory.
It was Jaycees that introduced us and although we did not spend much time with Paul & Colleen otherwise, we recognized their gracitiusness and enjoyed the times we did meet. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of grief
Dave and Gladys Ruhr
Our heartfelt condolences to Paul and family. May the care and love of those around you support you through this sad and difficult time.
Colleen will always be remembered as ‘part of the solution’. She was delightful, inspirational, thoughtful and sensible. Someone who we are proud to have known and we are thankful that she was part of our extended Rotary family. Sincere condolences from Max and Sarah.
To Dearest Rebecca and to your loved ones, I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of your Beautiful Mum, Colleen. My heart is with you all as you navigate this very sad time. I’m sending all my love, and deepest condolences to you all. The Service for Colleen was so very beautiful and so moving. I’m so happy to have been able to join you on the live stream, and to have learned about Colleen. What an Incredible Woman. Thank you for sharing her with us. Xox
To Paul & Family: Colleen always made everyone feel acknowledged and special. She was such a giving individual and she will always be with each and everyone of you. Her compassion for her family , friends and community made her the special person she was. I am so grateful I was able to attend this virtual service all the way from Kitimat BC, it was a beautiful service. Sending hugs, loves and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Laurel D’Andrea
I just watched the service for Colleen and viewed the tribute montage. A good job was done to honour Colleen’s life and it was very personable. Thank you for sharing this online.
Paul and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Don & Mary
Dear Paul and family. You have lost an angel to the angels. Colleen put up a strong fight and was so gracious and generous, always thinking of others. We have lost a beautiful person, one who will always be remembered and loved. She was so encouraging to me when I took up the harp, sitting together in our harp circle. I will always think of her when I play, knowing she is harping in heaven now.
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
I met Colleen and Paul at UBC and we had so many “fun” times.We reconnected while camping in Osoyoos a few years ago. Colleen was such a great example of positivity,adventure,and a bubbly,kind spirit. She will always be such an inspiration to so many. Fond memories,Gus and Shirley Ladner