Jessica M. Colen

COLEN, Jessica M. Jessica M. Colen, 88, passed away on Monday, (November 2, 2009). Mrs. Colen was born in New York City on July 11, 1921 to the late Frank and Anna Cutitta. She grew up in NYC and attended New York University with a business/accounting major. After graduation she joined Saks Fifth Avenue and later Sinclair Oil, Co. (both located in NYC's Rockefeller Center and both in the accounting department.) At Sinclair Oil, she met Herbert Colen, her husband of more than 40 years. With Herbert, she went through multiple corporate moves around the country, from Long Island to River Vale, NJ to Moorestown, NJ to Villa Park, CA. In each of these communities she was active in her children's and civic activities while continuing to work as an accountant until her retirement from ARCO in California in 1986. After the passing of her husband, she moved to West Hartford in 1987, where she continued to work as a bookkeeper for several small businesses, and was involved at the West Hartford Senior Center and with town political groups. She was also a committed member of St. Timothy's church. During the last five years, at The McCauley she participated in several groups including the Writers Group, where she and the others wrote a memoir for their families. Her grandchildren remember her recounting family stories with humor and her characteristic laugh. She was pathfinder for women in the oil & gas industry and worked very hard to have a work-life balance. Perseverance and dedication to her values and family were important to her. She took every opportunity to celebrate family, always remembering special occasions with just the right card or note. Ever the enthusiastic hostess, she loved having family and friends over, and her home always welcomed with a perfect seasonal decor detail. She is survived by her daughter Francine Christiansen and husband Stephan (Hartford) and son H. Chris Colen and wife Marilyn (Isles of Palms, SC); and grandchildren Gyllian (San Francisco, CA) and Chas (Hartford). Family was central to her life and she was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Marie Cuttita (Queens, NY) and nieces Elaine, Anita, Julie, Maria and Paulina and nephews Cary, Francis Paul, JoJo, and Frank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, (November 14) at St. Timothy's Church, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to The McCauley, 275 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT 06117. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com