Coreen Deering

COREEN DEERING

Oxford

Coreen Catherine Collins Deering passed away the morning of Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, in her robe and slippers, with her morning paper and computer nearby and a cup of coffee in hand.

Coreen was born Aug. 29, 1939, in Oxford, Iowa. She graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and music.

She married Donald E. Deering in 1969 and moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where she taught elementary music for over 20 years, then retired to Dataw Island near Beaufort, S.C.

Coreen was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Deering; her parents, Joseph and Geneva Collins; and siblings, Melanie, Thomas and James Collins.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Jo Collins of Lawrenceville, Ill.; sister-in-law, Pauline Collins of Tiffin, Iowa; niece, Melanie Frees; great-nieces, Ashley and Heather Frees of Tiffin; nephew, Matthew Collins of North Liberty, Iowa; great-nephews, Nicholas and Mason; great-niece, Meagan, and her son, Easton; and close cousins, Robert and Carolyn Polman of Iowa City, Iowa.

Coreen was a cancer survivor and bravely fought throat cancer in 2013-2014. She led a very active life, attending Mass weekly, participating in Garden Club and Bridge Club on Dataw Island. She lived her life to the absolute fullest. Coreen did not pass away with "boot" on, but with "slippers" on and a cup of coffee in hand, ready to embrace the new day.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Lensing's Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Rd. in Coralville. A private interment will be held later in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Coreen's memory may be made to St. Mary's Auditorium Building Fund or Iowa Juvenile Diabetes Fund.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

God Bless Forever,

'Corinna, Corinna'