Colleen Elaine Borgmeier

Colleen Elaine (Gately) Borgmeier was the second child and first daughter born to proud parents Doris Mae and Joseph Richard Gately in Portland, Oregon on August 14, 1948. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband David Borgmeier and older brother Joseph Richard Gately Jr. She is survived by her daughter Kelly Knight (Aaron), stepsons Leon Borgmeier (Karen) Todd Borgmeier (Kerri), her brother David Gately (Dale), sister Gloria Wilson (Dean), seven grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren (with 3 more great-grandchildren expected in the coming months) many nieces, nephews and her two dogs Brittney and Lacey. 

Growing up in Clackamas County, Colleen attended St John the Baptist Catholic School from Kindergarten through 8th grade and graduated from Clackamas High School in 1966. Soon after, she married and moved to New Jersey to be close to her then husband’s family, and in February of 1972 they welcomed their daughter Kelly into the world. She and Kelly later moved back to Oregon and Colleen chose to raise Kelly by herself surrounded by the love and support of family. 

Colleen worked for 40 years in Payroll & Human Resources for West Linn Paper Company through multiple changes of ownership and uncertainty in an often-struggling industry. The supportive role she provided for mill employees and their families was a great source of pride for her, and during those years, made lifelong friendships with many co-workers and managers.

In 1988 Colleen met the love of her life David Borgmeier and they were married in the summer of 1990. She loved her life with Dave, from blending families and being grandparents together to traveling the world and all over the country. They loved so many activities together…skiing, golfing, swimming, bowling, card games, casinos, Blazer games, and so much more. Dave and Colleen enjoyed their lives together until his sudden passing in summer of 2008.

Though suffering the loss of her parents and husband over several years was difficult, she never stopped making the best out of life. Colleen led a very busy social life and enjoyed activities such as swimming, golfing, playing cards, and traveling. She loved to relax with her dogs watching her favorite game shows, crime shows, and Hallmark movies at home. Sharing experiences and adventures with those she loved was a favorite pastime - live concerts, Broadway shows, and watching her grandkids play multiple sports throughout their school days were just a handful of ways she spent her time. She had so many friends she did things with on a regular basis, some gatherings became traditions that carried on for decades. She always said she could never have too many friends and continued making new ones until the very end. 

Joy was always her top priority. She believed life was worth celebrating, and looked forward to each birthday party, high school reunion and any excuse to celebrate friends, family and holidays. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she always dedicated endless hours preparing, decorating, shopping, baking and hosting Christmas Eve family gatherings. 

Colleen was grateful for her Catholic faith, and true to those teachings, always sought to help others, whether she was helping friends through their cancer battles, or volunteering to help people learn to read through the United Way. She loved helping the elderly and disabled and worked for a short time as a personal service worker while retired. 

Colleen will be remembered as an amazing mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend. She perpetually shared her joy for living with others and she will be dearly and deeply missed. She fought valiantly to beat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for two years and sadly passed away due to complications on October 10, 2024.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. https://lls.org