COLLEEN ANGEL HORBAY (MCCAFFREY)

Condolences & Memories (24 entries)

• Saddened to hear of Colleen's passing. I met this spitfire through the Children’s Hospital Guild and I knew the first second I met her that I loved her. As one of the youngest and newest members I gravitated to her leadership and CAN DO attitude. She made a huge impact on me and I will honor her by continuing to give to our community and Hospital Foundation. - Posted by: Sharon Evans (Fellow volunteer ) on: May 03, 2021

• I was so saddened to find Colleens obit when I googled her name. I just knew I would. I worked for Dr. Horbay from 1973-1978 when Garry and I moved back home to Regina. To date, he is still the most awesome employer I ever had. So kind, and patient not to mention best dentist ever. I felt like family, not an employee. Colleen was special in so many ways. Conversations with her were magical. Mary Lea who was around 6 yrs old, will always be special in my heart as well. For her age, she asked me so many good questions. Leaving this family was very difficult for me. For the past 41 Christmases, Colleen was always the first to send card with family updates. I so looked forward to hearing from her. This year when no card arrived, I just knew she must have passed away. What other reason could there be. I do hope you got my card Vincent. Colleen and I spoke often about a visit so now this will be one of my regrets. Not sure if you are still in your home Vincent, but when Covid allows, I will make arrangements as I so want to see you. I send prayers and condolences to everyone. Living without a loved one changes way you live. May take time, but tears one day turn into laughter, fond memories and many stories. Colleen was a beautiful person and lived life to the fullest being there for and helping people 😢❤️🤗 - Posted by: Irene and Steve Buzash (Friend) on: Jan 10, 2021

• I was so sorry to hear about Colleen's passing. She was a very unique individual. She always had a smile on her face and always had the ability to put one on everyone that she met. I feel so blessed to have been able to call her my friend. She lived such an extraordinary life and gave so much of herself to help others. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. - Posted by: Suzanne Kennett (Friend from Summertree golf league) on: Dec 27, 2020

• When Colleen entered a room she brought sunshine and rainbows with her high energy and zest for life. I can never recall seeing her other than in an UP mood. I wish I had known her better as people like her do not cross your path often. To all her family and friends I am sure you must have banked many wonderful memories of her. Wherever she is now...she is bringing joy to others as she did amongst us. Jim Pappas - Posted by: James Pappas (Acquaintance) on: Oct 18, 2020

• Deep condolences from the Smythe family. Such fond memories of our years in Winnipeg, as next-door neighbours. My father Clifford just passed on September 29, 2020; my mother Margaret lives close to me in Guelph, Ontario. We will always remember the vibrant warmth and beauty and friendship of Mrs. Horbay. - Posted by: Karen Smythe (Daughter of Colleen's friends and neighbours, Marg and Cliff Smythe) on: Oct 04, 2020

• My Aunt was a person of light and laughter. Her influence was such that my husband was inspired to reference her in his first novel. She will be greatly missed by all. Rest in Peace Aunt Col - we love you! - Posted by: Hillaine McCaffrey (Niece) on: Sep 13, 2020

• Remembering Colleen and her magnificence in all matters creates a memory of one of the most wonderful women in the world, one who dedicated her life to helping others with a loving heart. I am so sad recognizing how empty our lives will feel without her shining presence- my heartfelt condolences go out to her fine family at this difficult time. - Posted by: Beverly McCaffrey (Friend) on: Sep 13, 2020

• My sympathy goes out to Colleen's immediate and extended family. What an amazing person! She was always so happy, a great source of information at a meeting and so giving of her time. She filled a room with smiles and laughter whenever she stood up to share a story. We will miss her greatly. - Posted by: Mary Jean Davis (Children's Hospital Foundation Guild member) on: Sep 09, 2020

• Beautifully written tribute to an extraordinary lady. Colleen smile would light any room and her laughter filled every soul. We would talk of family, her travels, my crazy life and we would laugh. She shared her wisdom , but mostly she shared her incredible joy in life . She will be deeply missed. I am forever blessed to have known her. Deepest condolences to your whole family from mine. - Posted by: Kimberley Kiemeney (friend through 22yrs of Teddy Bear Picnic) on: Sep 09, 2020

• We were saddened to hear about Colleen’s passing. Sincere condolences to the Horbay/McCaffrey families. Colleen will forever hold a special place in our heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Don & Diane Zubrack (Cousin ) on: Sep 08, 2020

• My / Our Deepest condolences to Colleen's family and friends. I remember the 1st month I started working at the CHFM and how Colleen took me under her wing, took the time to share with me the history of the Guild, her life stories and so much more. I will miss her contagious smile, positive attitude, incredible spirit and will for change. Our sick kids lost a champion and a voice to improve health for children. But she left us in better place. - Posted by: Stefano Grande (colleague) on: Sep 08, 2020

• So sorry to hear of this family loss. Dr Horbay and my Dad Frank were school chums and Dr Horbay was my dentist. I have so much respect and admiration for this wonderful family and I am so sad for your loss. Mrs Horbay will be misssed. Cathy Keenan - Posted by: Cathy Keenam (Mencini) (family friend) on: Sep 07, 2020

• My sincere condolences to the Horbay family. You have truly lost a treasure. Colleen was Head Nurse of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital where I received my pediatric residency training. Her boundless energy and good humor, technical expertise, and her brilliant red hair made her a joy to work with. I can vividly recall being on call at night when she would call me and inform me that she had just inserted a IV scalp needle for a tiny premie. We both knew that her skills were superior to mine. Harvey Guyda MD Professor Emeritus McGill University - Posted by: HARVEY J GUYDA MD (Winnipeg Children's Hospital) on: Sep 07, 2020

• Colleen was a vibrant, unique, enthusiastic, generous, kind, bright, hardworking individual who spread joy and friendship wherever she went, which was pretty much everywhere! I knew Colleen as a friend of my parents and our close friends the Cumming family, but got to know her much better on my own when I joined the child life staff at Children’s Hospital in 1982. What a force of nature! Starting my job in CHTV was made more wonderful by having the gift of Colleen and her good friend Shelagh Yarnell as weekly co-hosts of The Good Day Show. Their shows were full of hijinks, laughs, educational tidbits and always a deep caring, respect and kindness for the patients. And Colleen, usually dressed in green, could even outtalk Noname the puppet! This dynamic duo were some of our longest standing and most dedicated volunteers. Even outside of the show, they were caring friends and supportive of our child life team. It never stopped. We loved and appreciated their annual Christmas performance of singing a personalized ode to us! Thirty-five years later, they attended my retirement tea, still caring, still supportive. It meant the world to me. Outside of and even after her long stint in CHTV, I would still see Colleen as she devoted herself to countless charitable endeavors for Children’s Hospital, most notably The Book Market and the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. She never failed to ask after me, my work and my family - Colleen had a genuine interest in others and always had something positive and uplifting to say. Colleen Horbay truly made this world a better place. She will continue to inspire all who knew her and worked with her - her legacy will live on. I have so many wonderful memories. Thank you Colleen, May you Rest In Peace. Love, Reneé Ethans - Posted by: Renee Ethans (Friend) on: Sep 07, 2020

• What a beautifully written tribute to such a wonderful person. Please accept the heartfelt condolences of the Myers family on this great loss for all of you and for all of us who had the good fortune to know Colleen. On our journey through life, once in a while we all encounter someone who is truly remarkable. Colleen was one of those people. She had a joie de vivre that she brought to everything she did. She cared deeply for those around her and was passionate about improving the lives of children and their families through her work as a nurse and then in her leadership roles at the Children's Hospital Foundation. She was our bright light and always a warm and welcoming presence in every room and once a year in the north picnic grounds at Assiniboine Park. Colleen's middle name really says it all. She was an Angel among us and we are all better for having known her. Her memory shall always be a blessing. - Posted by: John Myers (Friend) on: Sep 06, 2020

• Such beautiful words written, about one beautiful lady... who truly elevated the energy of any room she walked into. There was no mistaking this lady mothered my unique and amazing friend Marylea 💖 To the Horbay, McCaffrey family please accept my deepest, heartfelt condolences on the devastating loss of This great lady. May her beautiful soul light up the heavens! - Posted by: Philippa Cole (Friend ) on: Sep 06, 2020

• I am sending tons of love and big warm hugs to the entire Horbay clan at this time of profound loss. I have so many wonderful memories of time spent with Colleen in both Minaki and at Children's Hospital in Winnipeg. She knew me as a young child in Whitehorse but my first memory of her was on the dock at the Minaki Marina about 10 years later when my dad introduced us. I worked and become friends with her girls, Angie and Bev at the lake and when I moved to Winnipeg as a young adult, Angie and I spent lots of time together and I reconnected with Colleen. She was always interested in my life and I discovered over time that she really listened; I always marveled at her memory of our past conversations. She had a wonderful sense of humour and always focused on the positive. We crossed paths some years later at Children's Hospital when my daughter was ill, she was so warm and kind; always treating our Jill like the most important child in the world. She also took the time to find me and give me a smile and a hug whenever we were in hospital, her love and compassion were exactly what I needed. Colleen was a force of nature with a huge heart, she will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Patti (Mutch) Bradley (Family friend) on: Sep 05, 2020

• We send our deepest sympathies to Vincent and all the family..Colleen was a one of the kind type of Gal..Many good memories of her visits to the Harris farm.. - Posted by: Ron & Lil Walraven (nee Harris) (2nd cousin..) on: Sep 05, 2020

• Colleen was a family friend and Dr. Horbay (Vince) was our dentist. Her obituary says it all and we had many good visits at Minaki over the years. My sincere sympathy; I’m sure you will miss her infectious energy and enthusiasm. She really embraced life to the fullest. - Posted by: Catherine Stewart (McInnis) (Friend) on: Sep 05, 2020

• Aunt Colleen was the most amazing person to all of her family, friends and loved ones but most assuredly to the heart of all Winnipegers whom she touched in a very vibrant way whether they were aware of it or not! For those who knew Aunt Colleen the multitude of memories are countless and will always be cherished. She mentored us all with diligent care and individual attention that would have exhausted the best of us. Aunt Colleen was always deeply invested in our well being and future achievements continually engaging us and ushering us forward. Giving us joy! The many Minaki memories, Christmas parties, Florida visits, 5 pm happy hours, late night conversations and the overwhelming love will be missed while we continue our earthly journey. Most importantly, Aunt Colleen’s essence will remain etched within us all forever, guiding us gently forward upon our paths as we anticipate joining her again, when we are all called into eternal life together. We love you Aunt Colleen! - Posted by: Garth McCaffrey DDS FICOI (Nephew ) on: Sep 05, 2020

• Truly sorry on the passing of Colleen, our prayers are with you all. She now in the arms of our God. EVERLASTING MEMORY Zubrack family, Edm AB. - Posted by: Mike Zubrack (Cousin on Vincent side of the family ) on: Sep 05, 2020

• On behalf of myself and my family, our deepest condolences to the Horbay family. To say that "Colleen was a person of exceptional warmth and energy" is, at least to me, an understatement. Mrs. Horbay was such a presence and character with boundless enthusiasm. In other words, she was outstanding. I personally loved having little chats with her, some short, some longer, all memorable, in later years whenever we met. Her escapades when she and "the group" went skiing were the talk for years after. My mother still speaks of these adventures at Temple Lodge, to this day. Bless you Mrs. Horbay for giving my family such wonderful memories. - Posted by: Sidney Macaw (family friend) on: Sep 05, 2020

• "Colleen talks faster than I can listen!" So said the mother of a patient at Children's Hospital..... Colleen was a vibrant, vital part of the hospital, wearing green (even her hair dyed green) on St. Patrick's Day, hosting CHTV, working shifts at the Book Market and a recipient of the CHRF's Teddy Award. While I was on staff (14 years) at the Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Colleen was a "guild grandmother" to my son Jeff, now 37 and an architectural historian. A few years back, I remember Colleen being interviewed by a somewhat shell-shocked Terry MacLeod on CBC Radio's Weekend Morning Show around the Grey Cup about her time as a Blue Bomber cheerleader - she even wore her outfit from those days! So many memories... Heartfelt condolences to Vincent and the family of this phenomenal woman. She will be missed by so many. - Posted by: Gerri Thorsteinson (friend and CHRF Information Officer) on: Sep 05, 2020

• My sincere condolences to Colleen’s entire family. Colleen possessed one of those rare spirits that was truly radiant. Her bright smile, kind words and true grace were charismatic. Colleen was a great hostess who made you feel so welcome in her home. She will be truly be missed. - Posted by: Yvonne Huot (Angela sisters-in-law ) on: Sep 05, 2020