Colleen Marcia Shelton

May 4, 1957 - July 25, 2021

Colleen passed away peacefully from natural causes at her home in Ithaca, NY on Sunday, July 25, 2021. She graduated in 1975 from the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy- Lauralton Hall High School. Colleen showed her artistic side at an early age, drawing cartoons on everything. Colleen combined her love and knowledge of plants with her artistic ability and graduated from Cornell University in 1994 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. She continued her education moving to California to pursue a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and City Planning at the University of California, Berkeley. She worked for the Oakland Housing Authority where she trained with the Livable Cities Initiative and worked to find suitable and affordable housing for those in need. She eventually moved back east first to Milford, CT then eventually to Ithaca, NY. In Ithaca, she reconnected with the many of the friends she made while attending Cornell. She worked for the Ithaca Housing Authority until her retirement in 2016. Colleen spent her free time creating artwork. She discovered a talent for printmaking and later delved into painting. Colleen loved camping and spent her retirement traveling with her friends and her dog Charlie, the love of her life. Colleen had a big caring heart and was always there for her friends in good and bad times alike. She is predeceased by her mother Jean Williams Shelton, and her father George Andrew Shelton, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory a brother, George, and a sister, Deirdre Green (Conrad), nieces Natalie (Brian), Arianna, and Brianna, and nephews Curtis and George. Colleen also leaves behind many faithful friends. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday August 18th - 11:00 am at St. Peter’s Church, 71 River Street, Milford, CT 06460. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Loaves and Fishes 57 Olive Street, New Haven, CT 06511