Posted by Frances A. Cregan on July 20, 2010:

My name is Frances Cregan and I am the mother of the late Colleen Grace Olson (Brown), USMA, Class of 1987. I am sorry to meet all of you under such sad circumstances. I wanted to thank each one of you who made inquiries following her sudden death in Seattle (due to natural causes), and who offered your own personal eulogy/reminiscences of your friendship with her on this West Point website. Each message received was heart-warming and lifted our spirits during the saddest days of our lives. We will be forever grateful for your kind words. Some of you, especially her classmates from West Point - members of the Long Gray Line - responded to an email which was written by Clarence (C.J.) Jones, a member of the Class of '87, a renowned football player for the Black Knights of the Hudson during his cadet years, who has pursued a career in law in the Seattle/Puget Sound area, and remained a dear friend of Colleen Grace. C.J. described the Memorial Service we held in Seattle on 24 June, which he attended, along with several other classmates of '87. C.J. kindly shared with me all of the responses he received. Be assured I have read and re-read each message and my family and I are profoundly touched by your words of compassion and solace. Colleen Grace designated West Point as her final resting place. Her wishes were carried out with a full Military Honors Burial on 7/7/10. Colleen Grace's cremated ashes were personally transported from Seattle to West Point by Col. Deb Lewis (Ret. May 2010), a close personal friend of C. Grace, to whom we will be forever in her debt, and were handed over at West Point to another '87 classmate, Kim McDermott of the Office of West Point Association of Graduates. I remained in close telephone contact with Deb and Kim throughout; Deb was kind enough to share some details of the cross-country journey and Kim related receiving her classmate's ashes at W.P., even some humorous incidents which Colleen Grace would have enjoyed more than any of us. We are also indebted to Col. Dan Londot (Ret.), of the Memorial Affairs Office, for the respectful way he handled the burial details, including having Rev. Donahue conduct a prayer service that morning, and the condolences he extended by telephone and letter to us. To each participant, including her dear classmates who were on Post and attended the Burial Services on 7 July - an extremely hot day - we offer our profound thanks for your presence. My daughter Shannon (younger and only "full" sister of Colleen Grace) and I have suffered an immeasurable loss - our lives could never be the same without the bright and sparkling person that she was. Many of her friends, former classmates and colleagues referred to her as "Amazing Grace." It has been rewarding to learn that she impacted so many other lives in such positive ways, helping them in their professional careers, and just being a loving, trustworthy friend. Shannon and I would only ask that you please remember Colleen Grace in your prayers, asking the Lord to welcome her into His Kingdom, where she will find everlasting peace. BE THOU AT PEACE, dear Grace. We, too, will remember you in our prayers. May God continue to bless each link in The Long Gray Line and all those you hold most dear. With our affection and sincere gratitude, Frances Cregan & Shannon Bates The Family of Colleen Grace Olson

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