Joyce Colleen Colling

Joyce C. Nelson Colling

December 28, 1938 – January 22, 2026

Joyce C. Colling, 87 passed away peacefully January 22, 2026, in Portland Oregon. Born Joyce Colleen Nelson December 28, 1938, in Portland Oregon, Joyce grew up in the Newberg and Dundee area. Her family home is now the headquarters of a local Newberg winery, The Four Graces.

Joyce is survived by daughter, Lisa and sons Scott, Doug and Brian grandchildren Nathan, Caty, Dylan, Wesley, Elise, Briana, Tony, Evan and Chase and brother David Nelson.

Joyce was known for her adventurous spirit and dedication to family, education and career.

Joyce earned her bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from University of Oregon and a PhD from University of Washington in Gerontological Nursing. She taught community health nursing at Oregon Health Sciences School of Nursing for many years and conducted original nursing research funded by the NIH and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She authored over 40 published articles and presented over 100 papers nationally and internationally at professional conferences. Joyce also participated in nursing knowledge exchange programs with the Chinese Government, traveling extensively in that country and hosting many nursing students from China here in Portland. Joyce retired as a nursing professor in 1995 and subsequently joined a local private practice as a Urological Nurse Practitioner for another 10 years. When Joyce retired from professional life, she moved to Dundee Oregon and turned her energies to community projects focused on historic preservation in partnership with the Dundee Women's Club. Throughout her career, Joyce dedicated herself to mentoring students and colleagues, always seeking ways to better the practice of nursing in service to community and to improve patient care.

Throughout her life, Joyce traveled extensively and in her later years with the love of her life, Tom Owens who predeceased her. Together they traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, and many times to Madera Portugal, their favorite place to visit. Joyce always loved relaxing at her Rockaway beach house, gazing out the big window at the ocean.

Joyce made a positive impact on her children, friends and the many students who benefited from her mentorship. She will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am, February 21, 2026, at the Mirabella Portland, Park Room, 3550 SW Bond Avenue, Portland Oregon 97239. Contact Lisa Powell via email for more information at lisap5450@gmail.com.