Colleen M Gressley
May 29, 1953 ~ February 15, 2010
> > *Colleen M. Gressley* > > * * Colleen M. Gressley, 56, of 896 Lisbon Road, Kennerdell, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, at 6:05 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2010 at her residence after a short illness. Born May 29, 1953, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of Howard "Buzz" and Beatrice Keating Cross. Colleen was married September 30, 1972 to Jerome C. Gressley , who survives, along with four sons, Jerome C. Gressley and his wife, Kelly, of Cleveland, Ohio, Brian T. Gressley and his wife, Kristin of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mark P. Gressley and his wife, Demetra of Zanesville, Ohio, and Scott M. Gressley and his wife, Acacia of Lancaster. Colleen worked as a Lead Teacher for the Headstart Program, was a receptionist for Dr. Paulson, and most recently had worked as the Church Secretary for St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Emlenton. She was a very active member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Emlenton. She taught and participated in the Children's Liturgy, was an Eucharistic Minister, and was the founder of St. Michael's "Make & Take" Soup Group and the PURLS Knitting & Crocheting Ministry. She was also a member of the Church Bible Study and Church Choir. Colleen was very active in her local community. She was a singer with the Rainbow Riders. She sang and performed in the annual Emlenton Showboat, the Barrow Civic Theater and Handel's Messiah. Colleen enjoyed traveling, fishing, planting flowers, gardening, playing cards and most of all, practicing and sharing her faith in God, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. In addition to her husband and sons, Colleen is survived by her father, Howard "Buzz" Cross and her four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Gressley and Megan Gressley of Cleveland, Ohio, Xzavier Gressley of Lancaster, and Mark Gressley Jr. of Zanesville, Ohio. Colleen is survived by her four brothers, Thomas Cross and his wife, Sherry, and Michael Cross and his wife, Barbara, all of Erie, John Cross and his wife, Amy of Jamestown, New York, and Joseph Cross of Florida; and her sister, Carol Koehler and her husband, Richard of Cleveland, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her mother and an infant sister, Sheila Cross. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, February 18, at the Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 19 at 11a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Emlenton, with Msgr. Jan C. Olowin as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery in Emlenton. The family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Charitable Deeds & Services in Knox, c/o John R. Kerle, 98 Hickory Nut Lane, Knox, PA 16232-4712. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com
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To the Gressley family,
May your hearts be comforted and peace be yours through Jesus Christ our Lord. You have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your wife, daughter, mother, sister, and grandmother.
Words cannot express how sad we were to hear of Colleens passing. We know she is in Heaven looking down on all of us. She will be missed. With love, The Stovall Family, Earl, Karen, Bayleigh, Aiyana, Cameron and Ryan
Colleen was such a great lady, always giving a hug when greeting friends. She will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to Jerry and the boys.
I can not tell you how sorry I am that I am unable to be there with your family at this time. Colleen told me not to fly up and she was a very good friend, so I will respect her wishes. God bless all of you. Love, Dolly
Colleen was my mom’s Matron of Honor and best of friends. There are many things I remember about Colleen but the thing I remember the most is the smile that she brought to my mom’s face everytime they would see each other. Colleen’s smile was contageous and her and my mom’s friendship was something that I hope to have. It spanned decades and even though they didn’t see each other often they picked right back up where they left off. I know she is smiling up in Heaven. Let her smile remain contageous in all of your lives especially her dear family. May God always hold you in the palm of His hand.
We know that this is a difficult time, but all will be good with the world again, I promise. We are always here if you need to talk, or to just drink yourselves silly. We love you guys..
David and Alisha
So sorry to read of Colleen’s passing. The Gressley family are all in our prayers.
Our condolences to the Gressley family.
Jerry and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I didn`t see or talk to Colleen alot in the years previous to this year but no matter how long it had been she always had a big hug for me and a smile on her face asking how I was doing. She always made me smile too. She was a special, wonderful person and I`m sure you will have many loving memories of her. God Bless. Mary
I am very sorry for your loss.
Praying for you all during this difficult time.
God Bless
Kambrea and Thomas Pratt
Our deepest condolences go out to the family. We had the pleasure of meeting Collen when her son, Mark married my sister, Demetra. We all stayed in a beach front house in Outer Banks. Collen, made the visit fun, starting up fun games to play with the adults and kids alike…
We hope you are at peace.
Love you,
Jim, Melissa, Adrianne, and Anderson.
My thoughts and prayers are with Colleen and her family. Colleen and I attended Mercyhurst Prep together. Although, we haven’t seen or talked to each other in many, many years, I will always remember how upbeat and happy she always was. May your loving memories help you through this very sad time.
Maria (Platis) Conway
Colleen will be missed by everyone who was touched by her kindness and love. She was truly an Angel here on Earth and has already been in His graces.
So sorry to hear about Colleen’s passing. She will be always fondly remembered. She was a wonderful person and her presence will be missed. God Bless Jerry Sr. and all of the boys and families.
Colleen and my mom were good friends back in the 80’s when I was in elementary school with Mark. I can remember playing at their house, and I remember that Colleen was always so nice. She was a great lady and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Stacy
Gary and I are deeply grieved by Colleen’s death. We love you guys and will keep praying God’s peace over you.
You have my deepest sympathy at this difficult time!! My thoughts and prayers are with you!! God Bless!!
Dear Family,
We were so sorry to hear about the passing away of your wife & mom, Colleen. We had the privilege of speaking with her in December and were always so blessed by her loving and caring personality. She will be missed by all.
Please know that we are praying for you!
Sincerely,
Chris & Judy Clark
Dear Gressley Family,
We wanted to extend our heartfelt condolences to you all on the event of Colleen’s passing. Not only do we feel your sadness at this time, but also a sadness all our own as we think of the empty space that she leaves in the lives of those we love. Stories of your family have made their way east with each trip that my parents have made, and we will miss the happy stories that my mother recounted of the beautiful times that she and Colleen (and the rest of the family) spent together in friendship. We, especially Maggie, continue to pray for all of you during this time of grieving, and we join you in knowing that she awaits us all in a better place. God bless you all. The Garecas
I met Colleen one time in the late 90’s through her daughter-in-law’s (Kristen) family at a picnic. I didn’t get to know her much but she was a lovely lady and was very pleasant and had an infectious personality. I’m very sorry to have heard that she passed away at such a young age. May God rest her soul and keep her at peace.