Colleen Cagney

LIFESTORY:

Like a colorful mosaic, Colleen Cagney was a beautiful display of what loving others truly looks like. She was a compassionate woman with a heart for children, striving to provide many children with an opportunity at a better life. Whether through her work or in her own home, Colleen always made sure that the children in her life had the very best. She was a loving and attentive mother who was actively involved in the lives of her children, supporting them in whatever their individual interests were. Colleen enjoyed a variety of things throughout her life, but finding joy in the simplest of things was truly a gift she shared with others.

During the year 1957, America was experiencing a few “growing pains” as these were times in which racial tensions were escalating and our nation became involved in the Space Race with the Soviet Union. This was a year for great celebration for William and Anne (McHugh) Cagney, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Colleen, on April 4th. Colleen was the oldest of five children in her family and was raised on the family farm in Scotts. Her family was firmly rooted in the Catholic faith, and Colleen continued to embrace that faith throughout her life. Colleen attended the last one-room schoolhouse in the county and then attended Pershing El. She was active even as a young girl, and was involved in the local 4-H program and also in student government. On one occasion, she even sat on the corner of Oakland Drive and Centre Street to count cars in an attempt to prove that the city needed to put in a stoplight there. Colleen attended Portage Central High School where she enjoyed the theatre and was a member of the Pep Club. She also was Kalamazoo’s Community Ambassador to Ireland.

After graduating from high school in 1975, Colleen continued her education at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work. From there she went to Michigan State University and graduated with her Master’s in Social Work. With her education behind her, one of Colleen’s first jobs was in Cadillac where she worked at Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, and then she later began her own counseling practice, Social Work Services for YOU (Young and Old United). She provided domestic abuse services in Cadillac through her development of the OASIS/Family Resource Center.

Life turned in a new direction for Colleen in January of 1983 when she was cross-country skiing with some friends. While there, she was introduced to Tony Kerzich on what was one of the coldest days in years when the temperature hovered around 25 degrees below zero. Despite the cold temperatures, there were sparks that flew between Colleen and Tony. In fact, she was involved in the local theatre and barely made it to her performance that evening! After dating for a time the couple was married on April 28, 1984 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, after which they enjoyed a Mexican cruise.

The couple was awarded a foster care license, then later adopted three children into their hearts and home: Tony, Ruby, and Sean. In the fall of 1990, the family moved to Portage in order to be closer to Colleen’s family (and, ironically, just a block away from the stoplight she campaigned for in her youth). Once there, Colleen worked at Starr Commonwealth for a few years, a boarding school for troubled teens in Albion. She then moved to the ARK for Youth where she developed programs for teens. She later transferred to another section of Catholic Family Services where she provided family counseling. She then went to Borgess Medical Center where she specialized in caring for patients with kidney issues, and later in the emergency room. During this time she also was a part-time instructor at Western Michigan University’s Social Work Department. In 2002, Colleen had to file for disability due to an irregular heartbeat and diabetes. Although her health issues challenged her at times, that didn’t stop Colleen from being involved in the lives of her children. She was very hands-on in their schooling and associated events, and also in scouting. They traveled all over as a family, even visiting 48 of the 50 states.

Although her work and family kept her quite busy, Colleen also pursued other interests when time allowed. She enjoyed reading and watching mysteries. Colleen nurtured a very artistic side as she wrote poems, was involved in regional theater, and also painted bottles, made mosaics, and created jewelry. She enjoyed listening to both country and Celtic music, and encouraged her own children to play musical instruments. Colleen collected tea cups and tea pots, shared a love for shopping with her mother and daughter, and enjoyed dining out with the family. The holidays were her favorite time of year as celebrations combined her two greatest passions - her family and giving to others. She also kept in close touch with her foster son Chad Franklin.

Colleen Cagney was a woman who lived her life with others in mind whether her family, the numerous people she cared for over the years through her career, or those within her community. She was charitable and caring, simply living her life to enrich the world in which she lived. Colleen was artistic and intelligent, tender and attentive to all those within her reach. To Colleen, life was not about acquiring material possessions or earning praises from others, rather it was simply about love. Although the last few years of her life were not without gray skies, her faith was the foundation which gave her the strength to face her challenges. Although her days ended much too soon, Colleen’s family and friends will forever consider themselves blessed for having shared their lives with such a remarkable woman.

Colleen M. Cagney of Portage died at her home November 14, 2009. Colleen’s family includes her husband of 25 years, Tony A. Kerzich; 3 children: Tony D., Ruby and Sean Cagney-Kerzich; her father, William Cagney; 4 siblings: Ed (Schelle) Cagney, Joe Cagney, Jim Cagney and Kate Cagney; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Colleen was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Cagney. Learn more about Colleen and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Wednesday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home –Kalamazoo, MI; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church hall. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to OASIS/Family Resource Center.