Colleen Marie CIASULLO

Colleen Marie Ciasullo (April 30, 1940 – February 6, 2022) died suddenly on Sunday, February 6, at Sacred Heart Medical Center Emergency Room. Colleen grew up in Spokane, where she attended Field School, St. Francis of Assisi, and Marycliff High School. She graduated in 1958, only to be faced with tragedy and hardship months later when her beloved mother, Kathleen Matthew, died suddenly after giving birth to her fifth child. The oldest of the siblings, Colleen stepped up and helped raise her youngest sister and mother's namesake, Kathleen, for the first two years of Kathleen's life. Colleen dreamed of becoming either an airline attendant or a nurse, but immediate family obligations and later, marriage, motherhood, and struggles with mental illness prevented her from realizing these dreams. In 1960 she met Ralph Ciasullo, a handsome Army recruit, at a party at Fairchild Air Force Base, and the two were married in November 1960. In the 1960s they lived alternately in Queens, New York, and Spokane, with their four children: Lisa, Tony, Lori, and Ann. In 1974 they finally settled in the Millwood area of Spokane, where Colleen resided for the remainder of her life. There she raised her children and worked hard to secure a Catholic education for them at St. Paschal's Elementary and Gonzaga Prep High School. At the same time that she made their lunches and dinners and kept house, she worked alongside her husband at their business, Valley Auto Service, from 1977 to 1985. Her life's greatest joy arrived in the early 1990s with the birth of her grandsons, Anthony and Peter Cossette. To them, she was Granny or Grannis, and she was instrumental in helping to raise them and provide them with an endless supply of love, affection, and fake sword fights. Though she battled mental and physical health issues throughout her life, she was a constant presence in her children's and grandchildren's lives, teaching them important lessons, including "You get what you pay for," "Buy the shoes you want and find the outfit to match them later," and "Be careful when you eat Doritos; the corners are sharp and you don't want to choke on them." Colleen often struggled with anxiety and as a result had a difficult time being happy at the moment, but there were a distinct handful of things she loved: her grandkids, maple bars, Mexican food, Elvis, Gunsmoke, dogs, shopping for clothes, antiquing, and giving gifts, from kitchen gadgets and knick-knacks to a rolled-up twenty-dollar bill that she would shove in your hand.

Colleen is survived by her four children: Lisa Ciasullo, Tony Ciasullo, Lori Cossette (Andre), and Ann Ciasullo (Scott Orme), and her two beloved grandsons, Anthony and Peter. She is also survived by her siblings: Janice McFarland, Rob Matthew, Daniel Matthew, Kathleen Matthew, and Justine Baxter. Colleen is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Ciasullo; her father, Robert Matthew; and her mother, Kathleen Matthew. Colleen was profoundly affected by her mother's untimely death, and she longed to see her again. We take comfort in the knowledge that our mother's mother was waiting for her with open arms, ready to greet her with the love that Colleen missed and yearned for her whole life.

Her family wishes to thank the many caregivers who have helped with our mother over the years, most especially Dr. Allen Skidmore and his nurse, Kelly; the pharmacists at Rosauers on 14th, especially Adriana, Angie, and Amy; and the Emergency Room team at Sacred Heart Medical Center, who cared for her in the last hours of her life and made it possible for two of her children to be bedside as she passed. Finally, we are indebted to our brother, Tony, who was our mother's primary caregiver for the past ten years. He devoted himself to her, giving up

his retirement to care for her on a daily basis and live with her in the last two years of her life. Because of him, she got to go on nightly rides around Spokane, attend local baseball and basketball games, and most importantly, remain in her own home until her final trip to the hospital.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Hennessey-Smith Spokane. Donations can be made in Colleen's name to the Spokane Humane Society or SCRAPS.

We love you, mom, and we will miss you every day of our lives.