Colleen Elaine Ravine

Colleen Elaine Ravine Geralds (Star, Starrie, Sister, Col, MAMA), age 74, of Kettering Ohio gracefully, willingly and gently made her way into the waiting arms of Jesus while holding the hand of her beautiful treasured son who selflessly ushered her there, as he trusted what he couldn’t see and let her go. It’s a pain that we can not translate, and there’s a hole in our hearts that no one can fill.
Colleen spent her early years in Trotwood, Ohio with her beloved parents and was eldest to her 5 individually cherished siblings. She was strikingly beautiful and had a slew of high school achievements, namely cheer, dance, band, but not choir. Definitely not any singing achievements, but did win a talent show dancing and lip syncing.
After that, she dabbled in some cosmetology, bartending, a little art and a little magic. She tried her hand as a mime once or twice, chimney sweeping, caring for horses. She worked and traveled with the circus where she had lifelong friendships. She moved around quite a bit in those early years and lived out some years in Florida where she also made remarkable friendships. She lived on nothing, but she made things happen somehow with her impeccable promoter skills, her reheated coffee and her stashes of fast food condiments. Colleen was a minimalist that cared not for money, but was extremely grateful for what she had. She was a faithful Christian and she handled her chronic pains with grace and leaned in on her faith when she needed strength. Of all her adventures and all her biggest moments, nothing compared or measured to the love that she had for her family and friends. She was always transparent about her love and she was always at any game or event her body would allow. She just wanted us. To be with us is what made her happy.
Colleen is survived by her five beloved siblings Stu, Lisa, Liz, and Ronna as well as her loving son Sean(Jody) White, who gave her the first three jewels in her crown- Brady, Kyle and Anna as well as her daughter, Kerri Shaw (Jason) who gave her Violet and Lilly. Her grandbabies were all so uniquely special to her and each of them were made to feel that. Not enough, and not for enough time but enough for a lasting legacy they will remember and look back on with strong love. She leaves behind a big family that loves her, and some friendships that were real and lasting. All are sorely missing her, looking ahead to dance with her again someday.

Colleen is preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Ronald Geralds, her Ya Ya and Grandpa, her Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Homer as well as both her precious nephew AJ, and Brother in Law Hugh. Much gratitude to her deeply loved daughter in law, Jody for the hard work, selflessness and sacrifice she gave to Mom in her unwavering fight, and after she came to peace.

Our celebration of Colleen will be on Saturday, April 26th at Kettering American Legion Post 598
(5700 Kentshire Dr, Kettering, OH 45440). Time will be from 1 PM to 3 PM, and service starts at 1:15 PM. Proper attire theme will be Ohio State, USA ,or Peace. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Patient Advocate Foundation

https://www.npaf.org/actions/donate/