COLLEEN ANGEL HORBAY (McCAFFREY)
December 10, 1934 – September 1, 2020
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Colleen Angel Horbay, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
Colleen joins her mother Leana May Ruxton and dearest brothers D’Arcy McCaffrey and Garfield McCaffrey in a very special place up in heaven. She will be missed beyond words by her loving husband Vincent, children Mary-Lea (Michael), Angela (Jean-Marc), Beverly (Brian), Thomas (Deborah) and Francesca, grandchildren Russell (Trish), Paul, Patrick (Juliane), Liam, Michael, great grandson Bentley and all of her wonderful nieces and nephews, extended family and friends, all of whom loved her so much.
Colleen was a person of exceptional warmth and energy that touched the lives of thousands of people throughout her busy and active life. Not only was she the best wife and mother that one could ever ask for she was a friend like no other. Her ability to listen to others and never be judgmental is an example for all of us to strive towards. She practiced the value of humility and hospitality to an extraordinary degree, radiating kindness and empathy to all she encountered.
Born in Winnipeg in 1934, Colleen began her adventure of life. She went to Gordon Bell High School and then followed a career into nursing, graduating from Children’s Hospital in 1956. Her nursing took her on adventures that spanned the globe. She went to God’s Lake in the north then nursed her way through Europe with her dear friend Betty Glidden. Following her nursing adventures in BC and Montreal she ended up at the dentist’s office where she met her future husband Vincent and the rest, as they say, is history. Colleen took on her new role of wife and mother to four young children with loving dedication and went on to add one more daughter into the mix. She also began her lifelong dedication to the community in which she lived, volunteering and playing a role in countless charities and guilds over the decades. Her commitment to the organizations that she loved is unparalleled and she played key roles in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. The dearest to her was of course Children’s Hospital - The Book Market and the Teddy Bear Picnic were always major highlights annually.
For over 5 decades Minaki was where family and friends gathered to spend their summers. Lake life was a way of life and many memories over the years were formed. Golf also entered the picture and became a beloved pastime. Colleen was the heart of so many wonderful groups of friends that she loved so dearly and that continued be a part of all of her life: her nursing class from ’56, the Junior League followed by the Swans, many bridgeclubs, her special bookclub, her ladies golf at St Charles and so many more. Her zest for life was immeasurable and she lived everyday with joy and light. She will truly be missed by all.
A small, private family service will be held on September 10th at Holy Trinity Church, the same day that her dear mother was laid to rest 19 years ago. A Celebration of Life will be hosted at a later date when circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Winnipeg.
God Bless you Mum, you were always there for us and showed us the way.