Shirlee Colleen Conte

Shirlee Colleen Conte, born the 30th of November 1935 and transitioned into the great beyond the 17th of May 2014. We honor our beloved and extraordinary friend, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, inspirationist. Her maiden name is Shirlee Colleen Garner, daughter of Hal and Tilla Garner of Kansas. She married Bill Witty and brought two sons into the world, David Darrell Witty and Brian Kristopher Witty (aka Kristopher Stone). Then she married Larry Krieger and became the loving step-mother of Robin and Michele Krieger. Then she found her soul mate and married actor Richard Conte (aka Peter Nicolas Conte). They traveled Europe together while Richard starred in 20 some movies during the last stretch of his career. His last American made movie was The Godfather. In her early days she was Miss Catalina, then Miss California and then a favorite in Miss Universe, but had to decline being named a winner because she was pregnant. She did TV with Jimmy Durante and Jerry Lewis and was close friends with many famous people including Cornel Wilde and Tony Curtis. Known by the name Colleen Conte she has touched so many people's lives. Her ability to see the good in people and to entertain with her vivacious personality made her instantly beloved. Her life and legacy has a great impact on those who love and miss her. Among her legacy is the childhood story written in screenplay form of her extraordinary relationship with a race horse named Raimee, one of the great loves in her life. As a ten year old music prodigy, little Shirlee Colleen Garner, nick-named Fearless and Little Fox was riding Raimee in all kinds of horse races. Often, they dressed her like a boy, so the other jockeys wouldn't know they were being whipped by a little girl. This bio and picture site will be added to, enhanced and maintained over the days, months and years so please come back to see more and please sign in to add your story of how Colleen touched your life. We love her so very much. You can contact me, her son at 760-429-4320 or kristopher@kristopherstone.com. We are planning a memorial event in July. Please let us know of your interest in attending. Thank you.