The Live broadcast will open at 11:30 a.m. MTN time for the Noon Service
Colleen Marie Jolly, age 67, of Helena, MT, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Per her final wishes, she will be laid to rest at Forestvale Cemetery on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 following her funeral service.
In the words of her daughter, Brandi…
We did not have a typical mother daughter relationship. Being human is hard, being a broken human is harder. Colleen was born in Torrance, California. She met my Father, David Holton, in Redondo Beach, CA and they were married when she was the young age of 16 and David was 19. Approximately 2 years later she gave birth to me. Shortly after their marriage dissolved. Colleen was somewhat of a free bird. She moved frequently spending most of her young adult life in California.
She possessed a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. Her eyes would light up in a way that pierced your heart. Her voice was magical. She would often sing to me “My favorite things” or “Send in the clowns”. She had to survive many hardships from a young age which left her broken and misunderstood. Later in life she traveled to Oregon, Colorado and finally Helena MT. She loved small mountain towns. She often struggled to find peace, I think the calm of the mountains helped. I believe she has finally found that peace. Shortly after I received the news of her passing a beautiful bald eagle visited me in the back yard. It was my sign, my sign that she was free. Free from the pain and heartache that tortured her. I had to love her from afar most of my life. It was often confusing and hard. But I did get plenty of time to see her beauty through her pain. To witness moments of joy, be affected by her infectious smile. I wish you peace Mom.
Colleen is survived by her daughter, Brandi (Holton) Barela and her 3 grandchildren Alexandra (Holton) Hollis, Ashlyn Barela, Jackson Barela; her life partner, Darrel Blou; sisters, Linda Eachart, and Susan; and her brother, Tim Jolly, and her sister, Nancy Jolly.
Death leaves a heartache none can heal. Love leaves memories no one can steal.
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Shawn Guerin says
I remember being three years old and sitting with my brother, Rick in front of our apartment complex, holding an alarm clock waiting for Colleen to be dropped off from school. We were living in Redondo Beach and we were always excited when Colleen came home. I didn’t see her much as I got older, but when I was young, she was always so much fun, and was always very kind to me. I will miss her, and she will remain in my heart. Love you Aunt Colleen.
-Shawn
Rick Guerin says
Beautifully said Brandi.
Her smile and voice will be what I will forever remember about my aunt Colleen. Like a lot of us Jolly’s she was always looking for love and happiness in this world. And like us, sometimes she found it and other times she didn’t. I know, like all of us, sometimes she struggled. I just hope she knew that we all loved her. Be at peace my beautiful aunt. We’ll see you soon…
Timothy Jolly says
My sister Colleen is being laid to rest today. I have been struggling with pain for the last several days. The pain of sadness because I love my sister, and the pain of guilt. The sadness has me randomly breaking out in tears, but the pain of guilt is the toughest. I find myself involuntarily stomping at the ground or blurting a profanity at myself. My sister struggled with her demons for years which presented in her abstract actions and constant fleeing, which made it difficult to maintain any kind of relationship. I find myself saying I wish I said this or done that over and over.
I am heart broken, as I know my sisters and her beautiful daughter Brandi are as well. My life experience has taught me that there are life tragedies, but it makes it know less heartbreaking. I love you Colleen.
Andrea Jolly says
I wish I had known my beautiful Aunt Colleen. Throughout my life I have heard countless stories about her stunning beauty, angelic voice and wandering spirit, as well as her struggles. She is and was so incredibly loved by her family, despite the pain she endured. I have always felt a kind of kinship with her somehow, perhaps from our shared love of singing. I know how deeply it can comfort the soul. I am so honored to have become close to Brandi, my lovely, strong, beautiful cousin-sister. I just pray the pain of sorrow and guilt suffered by my loving Dad can lessen; as her big brother I know without a doubt he and their sisters did ALL they could to help in her suffering. Like Rick says, we all have our struggles. Some are more visible than others. I think we can learn a lesson of grace and humility through this and know we are just all doing the best we can in this life. You were cherished, Aunt Colleen, and I pray you are with your beloved mother, and are both singing with the angels.
Love, Andrea
Andrea says
I never got to know my aunt Colleen, but she was alive and cherished in my mind nevertheless. Stories of her stunning beauty, tragedies and extraordinary voice have given me a sense of kinship and wonder. I agree with Rick…we all struggle and do our best. Some struggle in a more visible way, and maybe it gives us a chance to grow in compassion and humility and humanity. Brandi, my dad and his sisters did their very best to help. I hope pain and guilt can lessen over time. I believe aunt Colleen is now free of pain and singing with Grandma and the angels. Love to you all.
Andrea says
I’d like to add something- I am so honored to have had the opportunity to grow a cherished relationship with my cousin Brandi. One of the strongest, bravest and beautiful souls I’ve known. Brandi, your tribute was stunning and I’m so very proud of you. You loved your mom with all of your heart, and you were such a good daughter. Thank you for being an example of courage and strength through the toughest of life’s challenges. Love you, Cousin. ❤️
Brandi Barela says
Rick, thank you so much for your kind words. I love what you shared.
Shawn, what a cherished memory. I really enjoyed reading it.
Uncle Tim, I am so sorry you are struggling. Everyone does the best the can at any given moment. I understand how you can ruminate about shoulda, coulda, woulda…but none of this was easy to navigate. Much was left unsaid, unresolved and leaves one feeling lonely with their heartache. I think we all understand. If that is helpful in any way.
Try and find some solace that her demons are gone now. Her pain is over. She wouldn’t want you riddled with guilt. Sending big hugs to you.
I appreciate the comments and I hope people share more.
I remember how cool I thought my Mom was as a checker. I wanted to be just like her! She didn’t like the idea of that being where I was setting my sights at all! Ha ha ha.
When I look back, I can see the little girl in her. I wish I could hug that little girl.
Brandi says
Andrea,
Thank you so much sweet cousin. Your words mean so much to me. ❤️
I have learned more in her passing than I knew before. It is both painful and reassuring. I know she is with Grandma Ann. I wish that I could hear her… one more time. 🕊️
Nancy Jolly says
To my sister Colleen : Mom’s Irish Baby:
A beautiful smile and stunning green eyes. An extraordinary singer…one of my earliest and fondest memories was listening to Colleen sing, “My Favorite Things.” She LOVED Barbara Streisand and sounded so much like her!
Colleen was an incredibly talented cook. When I was very young, she taught me how to make homemade steak fries… I thought she invented putting gravy on them! When I got older, she taught me how to make her signature, Chicken Cordon Bleu. I LOVED my sister Colleen’s cooking.
Colleen’s home was always impeccably clean. Truly…you would be hard-pressed to find even the TINIEST dust bunny; not even under her refrigerator! The term, “you could eat off the floor,” was absolutely created for Colleen.
Another of Colleen’s creative talents: decorating. Making a room beautiful came as naturally to her as did her other creative talents. She could transform any room into a peaceful sanctuary with very little to work with. My sister was absolutely an artist through and through, also loving antiques and plants. She possessed an eye for special antique pieces and had a green thumb that most would envy. She once told me her dream was to own an antique shop.
When she was a very young teen, I remember wanting so badly to hang out with Colleen and her best friend, Becky Olsen. Whenever they went to the mall, they always brought back malt balls for me. 🙂
As an older teen, Colleen married and had the most precious and beautiful baby girl, Brandi.
When Colleen had the means, she was generous to a fault and always tried to win her big break, often entering numerous contests.
Life was a difficult journey for you, my beautiful sister Colleen. But I know for certain you are now resting peacefully, far from your struggles and pain. You are at peace, with God and Mom.
I LOVE YOU.
Nancy