Colleen Campanella

Colleen Marie Mason Campanella, passed away at her home in the arms of her eldest son, Gregory Campanella, on Friday, June 16, 2017. She suffered a series of strokes beginning in late 2011 and was totally paralyzed on the right side of her body.Vigil service will be Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 201 44th St S. Funeral liturgy will be Monday, July 31, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. also at Holy Spirit with burial of ashes to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.Colleen was born on November 17, 1933 in Jamestown, ND. She was adopted by her great uncle, William H. Mason and great aunt, Martha M. (Higgins) Mason, who had no children of their own. Bill was a salesman for the Gamble Robinson Company in Bemidji, MN and was eventually transferred to Butte, MT where Colleen entered the first grade. Later on they moved to Great Falls, MT where Bill acquired a beer distributorship. A few years after moving to Great Falls, Colleen was joined by her younger sister, Karen who completed Bill and Marthas family.She enjoyed traveling with her dad in his black panel delivery truck on Saturdays delivering beer to various bars in downtown Great Falls. She especially enjoyed Berks Bar, just across the street from the big bank on 3rd Street and Central Avenue. Mr. Berkner would always give Colleen a Coca Cola and let her sit at the bar on a special bar stool. After the war broke out in 1941, the US Government took most of the beer for the military and Bill was out of work. Fortunately, he applied for and got a job with the fire department at East Base (Malmstrom) in Great Falls and managed after several years to rise to Fire Chief of the base. He later retired in Great Falls.Colleen attended grade school and a few years of high school at St. Marys School next to St. Anns Cathedral. She graduated from Great Falls Central Catholic High School in 1951, then entered the Columbus School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1954. She was employed by the Columbus Hospital, working there until 1959 until she became a sat at home mom. She returned to nursing at Columbus 23 years later, when the hospital offered a two week refresher course for nurses. She worked part time for 10 years before retiring.She married George L. Campanella on July 14, 1956 at St. Anns Cathedral. Their first child, Julie Ann was born June 29, 1957. Julie Ann suffered from severe brain damage and died at Warm Springs State Hospital on October 12, 1957. She is interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls. Their next three children were Gregory William, born July 10, 1959; John Dale born August 31, 1960; and Bruce Gerard born December 27, 1963. All three boys were RH babies and had to have total blood transfusions as soon as they were born, usually requiring several exchanges for each child. Fortunately, scientists have since discovered treatment for RH Disease by giving an injection to the expectant mother.Colleen was an avid skier for many years, enjoyed traveling, summer vacations at Lake Blaine, and visits with and helping care for her grandchildren. Her sons remember her volunteering as a den mother for Cub Scouts, as well as birthday cakes she made for them. Colleen had several close friends who continued to enjoy each others company up to the time of her passing. She was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and worked on her class reunion committee for many years.She is survived by her husband, George; son Gregory, his son, Nicholas (Liz) and daughter Ivy (fianc Evan Patterson), son John and wife Donna, their daughter, Melissa, and son Bruce, his daughters, Kirsten (Aaron Couch) and Holly (Adam Schoaf); Kirstens children, Hailey and Benjamin; brother-in-law John Campanella; and her sister Karens son, Patrick Brown, his wife, Tami, and their children Ben, Abby, and Preslee.Colleen was preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Ann; parents, Bill and Martha Mason; father-in-law John Campanella; mother-in-law Mary Campanella; sister Karen Brown; Karens sons, Mike and David Brown; beloved grandson, Christopher Campanella; and several aunts and uncles.