Kathleen L. Delany

The family of Kathleen “Colleen” Delany of Rockford is saddened to share the news that our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on December 30, 2024. Colleen was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Kathleen (Fleming) Lane, and, in 2020, by her husband of 60 years, Mike. She is survived by her six children, Michael Jr. (Angie Schmidt), Mary, Peter (Heidi), John, Julie (Bill) Heberer, and Dan (Lynne), twelve grandchildren, including Maggie (Jack), Katie (Andrew) & Payton, Erin, Sarah & Will, Ben & Ellie Heberer, Tommy, Charlie, Celia & Gemma, one great-granddaughter, Belle, and many dear cousins, relatives and friends. Special thanks are owed to her confidant and caregiver, Victoria Ciceri.

Colleen was born in East St. Louis, IL, in 1932 and, although an only child, was part of a large extended Irish-American family. After her family moved to the St. Louis Hills neighborhood in south St. Louis, the home on Murdoch Ave. became a central meeting point for Lane- and Fleming relatives during her youth. She developed close connections to these many aunts, uncles and cousins that she treasured her entire life.

As a teen, Colleen was an outstanding student, attending both high school (Visitation Academy) and college (St. Louis University) on full academic scholarships, and an accomplished classical pianist. After college, Colleen taught high school in St. Louis and pursued graduate work in history until she married Mike in early 1960 and embarked upon what was to be her primary career, as a homemaker and mother. After two years of married life (and two children) in St. Louis and a brief stint (and another child) in Detroit, they arrived in Rockford in 1964. They quickly found a circle of friends in St. Peter's parish and, over the next 50+ years, she cherished these friendships tremendously. In her “spare” time as she raised six kids, Colleen also found opportunities to serve in various capacities around the parish and community, whether as a substitute teacher, Brownie troop leader, chair of OSF St. Anthony's annual Pink Ball, or president of the Catholic Women's League.

A special chapter began later in her life when, as empty-nesters, she and Mike found a winter home in Tucson, AZ. There was little she enjoyed more than the evenings they spent on the Tucson patio, sharing a cocktail with friends while watching the desert mountains turn pink in the evening sunset. Over the years of their retirement, they reveled in the visits of children, grandchildren, and friends to Arnold Palmer Dr.

Colleen was an intelligent woman devoted to her family and to her Catholic faith. Fiercely loyal to her Jesuit education, in recent years she enjoyed the opportunity to virtually attend Sunday Mass at her beloved St. Louis University's College Church. She was a keen student of European history and an avid reader; she would devour all manner of works, ranging from a biography of a historical personality to the latest romance novel. In short, those close to her found her to be an amazing woman whom they admired very much and loved deeply.

A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 10, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford, with Mass of Christian Burial following at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Peter and Kathleen Lane Scholarship Fund at Boylan High School of Rockford or to Catherine's Residence, 2039 N. Geyer Rd., St. Louis, MO, would be appreciated.