Margaret Ann Colby

Margaret Ann Colby February 24, 1962 - August 11, 2010 After a 10 month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Magi Colby passed from this life on August 11, 2010, surrounded by her family at Hershey Medical Center. Magi is survived by her parents, Margaret E. Colby and John Colby; her loving husband, Bryan Kinash; her daughters, Morgan and Jordan Sugg; her older brothers, Paul and Bill Colby; her nieces, Katy, Magi, and Sarah Colby; her nephew, Sean Colby; and her soul mates, Paulette Morris and Jennifer Storm. Magi was first and foremost a devoted mother. She always accompanied her daughters, Morgan and Jordan, to their Irish step-dance competitions and dog shows. She adored Pops, daughter Jordan's show dog. Magi had a quirky sense of humor, a peaceful, inner strength, as well as endless compassion and wise advice for everyone she met. Despite many difficulties throughout her life, her philosophy remained "Life is Good." Her hobbies included the fine arts, baking, gardening, reading, and sudoku puzzles. She especially enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Magi was born February 24, 1962 in Louisville, Ky., but she grew up in Allentown. While pursuing a modeling career in New York City, she earned a degree in fashion merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 1989, she married Charles Sugg. Her eldest daughter, Morgan, was born in 1993, and her youngest daughter, Jordan, in 1996. After the death of her husband in 2000, she opened Doodlebugs, a children's boutique, in Boalsburg. Shortly thereafter, Magi met Bryan Kinash, the love of her life, when he was called to fix a broken water heater in her home. Magi eventually left retail to finish her college education - a life-long goal. In 2006, she earned her Masters degree in Human Development from Schreyer Honors College, Penn State University. She was Marshal for the College of Health and Human Development and graduated with highest honors. Her family is so proud of her accomplishment. She was later hired by the University as the Project Coordinator for the Drug Resistance Strategies Project, a job she truly loved. She developed a new rural version of the keepin' it REAL drug resistance curriculum and supervised its implementation in 39 rural schools in Pa. and Ohio. She also adapted keepin' it REAL for use by the D.A.R.E. program in the U.S., as well as 23 countries around the world. As a result of her dedication, passion, and vision, keepin' it REAL has become the most widely disseminated drug abuse prevention program in the world. A public celebration of Magi's life will be held, Saturday, August 21, 2010, at Tussey View Park, 1612 Norma Avenue in State College from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress casually and wear purple, Magi's favorite color. A private, family reception will follow at her home. It was Magi's wish that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in lieu of flowers. In addition, friends of the family have established the "Suggs Educational Fund" for the benefit of Magi's daughters. Donations are being received by Michael Hecht, Department of Communication Arts and Science, 501 Keller, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802.