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Colleen M
Smith (Doyle)

May 14, 1926 – October 10, 2018

Colleen Smith
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— Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory

Obituary for Colleen M Smith (Doyle)

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Mary Colleen Doyle Beck-Smith, 92, of Dubuque, Iowa died Wednesday October 10, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 15th at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 -7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road where a parish wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
Mary Colleen Doyle Beck-Smith was born on May 14th, 1926 in Dubuque, Iowa to Harvey J. Doyle and Fay E. Heffern.
Colleen graduated from the Cathedrals - St. Joseph Academy High School in Dubuque in 1944. She attended De Paul University and graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Chicago in 1947. During WW II, Colleen was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps from 1944-1947.
She married Milton L. Beck on November 13, 1948 at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque, Iowa. Milton died on October 6, 1951. They had two sons.
Colleen married George W. Smith on March 10, 1953 at St. Raphael's Cathedral; they were married for 58 years. George died on November 3, 2010. They had three sons and three daughters.
Colleen spent her childhood in the south end of Dubuque, known as "Little Dublin". She was very proud of her Irish heritage and had the opportunity to visit Ireland in 1996.
Colleen was a city girl until 1958, when the family moved to a farm 4 miles east of Bankston. She continued her life work as a nurse, working the night shift at Mercy Hospital, while caring for her 8 children. In 1989, George and Colleen moved back to Dubuque residing on Ramona St. They were 30 year members of St. Columbkille's Parish.
Colleen worked as a registered nurse at Xavier and Mercy hospitals in Dubuque during her 40+ year career. In her retirement years, Colleen enjoyed volunteering at St. Dominic Villa for 8 years, Mercy Hospital for 14 years and St. Columbkille's Elementary School, all in Dubuque. Colleen was an empathetic and caring person and touched the lives of many people throughout her life.
She was often known for saying exactly what she was thinking, but always in a kind manner. She was energetic and sometimes was described as "feisty", often channeling this energy into doing good deeds for others. Her highly competitive spirit was revealed during family trivial pursuit games, Friday night penny poker with neighbors and Uno games with the grandchildren. She enjoyed participating in water exercise classes over the years, especially the opportunity to socialize with old and new friends.
In her final years she was a resident at Eagle Point Place and Bethany Home.
She is survived by her children, Daniel ( Janice) Smith, Robert (Joyce) Smith, and Thomas (Carol) Smith all of Dubuque, David Smith of Cleburne, Texas, Mary (Mark)Feldman, of Welton, Iowa, Ann Smith of Bonita Springs, Florida, and Amy (Mark Muller) Smith, of Minneapolis, MN; 27 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; her sister Rose Huseman; her brothers-and sisters-in-law Dick Huseman, Louis Wagner, Betty Doyle and Rita Beck of Dubuque, Les and Lavonne Schilling of Burlington, Steve and Jean Smith of Rochester, MN, and Elizabeth Schultz of California.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son William Smith in January 2018; great grandson Austin Smith; her sisters Betty Wagner, Kate Huseman; brother Donald Doyle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis Huseman, Joseph Beck, David and Monica Christ, Louis and Leota Hetzler.
The Smith family wishes to extend a special thank you to staffs at Eagle Point Place, Bethany Home and 3rd floor staff at Mercy Health Center for their compassionate care and kindness.

First Visitation

When Sunday, October 14th, 2018 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Location
Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory
Address
2659 John F. Kennedy Road
Dubuque, IA 52002

Second Visitation

When Monday, October 15th, 2018 8:30am - 9:45am
Location
Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory
Address
2659 John F. Kennedy Road
Dubuque, IA 52002

Service Information

When
Monday, October 15th, 2018 10:30am
Location
St. Columbkille's Catholic Church
Address
1240 Rush St.
Dubuque, IA 52003

Interment Information

Location
Mount Olivet Cemetery
Address
10556 Military Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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