Selma Jane Colony

Selma Jane Colony, 96, passed away on April 7, 2019 as she slept. She was born in Saline, MI to Fred and Selma (Dietrich) Rowe on January 2, 1923. After high school, Selma worked at the University of Michigan where she met ROTC engineering student David Colony in 1943. Their courtship continued through daily letters as Dave served in the Navy during WWII. They married in New Orleans on March 29, 1946, later lived in Washington D.C. and Ann Arbor, MI, then settled in Toledo to raise their familyand where Selma lived in the same home for 54 years. Most recently, she lived with her son, Steve and his family in the rural Pemberville, OH area. Selma returned to the University of Toledo in the 1970’s and proudly earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her Master’s research focused on Canadian Irish immigrant family history. Selma liked nothing better than to meet new people, learn their life story and find how she could be a part of their lives. Her volunteer work always involved visiting with people from being a hospital chaplain’s bedside visitor, teaching English as a second language, and providing meals to the homeless. Selma enjoyed helping her family, especially her grandchildren, improve their lives. She also had a wonderful group of friends with whom she would say, “solved the world’s problems”, as they explored the diversity of life, religion, books and women’s rights. Selma was widowed in 2003, when Dave preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Fred. She is survived by their three children, Judy (Pat), Steve (Christy), and Jim (Barb); grandchildren, Debbie and Betsy (Judy and Pat), Steve and Jennifer (Steve and Christy), Elizabeth (preceded in death), Olivia, and Charles (Jim and Barb); and great-grandchildren Nicholas and Haleigh (Debbie). Also survived by nephew Dave Rowe and dear friend Patsy Suter. Family invites friends to join them in celebrating Selma’s life on April 22, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Farmhouse at Wildwood Metro Park, 4830 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43615 (East Entrance).