Colleen Claire Overby

Colleen Claire Overby, 94, of Gainesville passed away peacefully on July 28, 2021. She was born on January 16, 1927 in Mattoon, Illinois to Roland and Nora Reed She was the second child of only two children. She met her husband, John Overby, in the month of September and was married one month later on October 11, 1947. She is survived by all four of her children, Larry Overby, Gary (Janice) Overby, Diana (Dennis) Norton and John Overby; 10 Grandchildren; 27 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great-great-Grandchildren.Colleen had a passion for cooking for her family. Some of the dishes she was known for were her spaghetti and meatballs, beef and noodles and her famous coconut cream pies. She loved to have her family around to cook for and would get a meal together with what seemed like little effort. She also had a love of travel and she and John traveled all over the United States. Two of their biggest and favorite trips were to Alaska and Hawaii. Colleen worked at Crawford and Company Insurance Adjusters as an Office Manager until she retired. She loved her job and told her boss, Mr. Philpot, what to do most of the time. She was extremely efficient and good at her job. She moved from her home into The Village, an Independent Living Community in July of 2015 and loved living there. She made many friends, participated in activities and attended church services there. Her favorite part of church services was singing hymns. She loved playing Rummy and would get mad if she didn't win because she was so competitive. She loved Saturdays when she could play Bingo with her son, John, who always helped. She put a 100-piece puzzle together every single day and watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every night before she went to bed. She loved the simple pleasures of life, looking out the window at the birds, walking around the lake and feeding the ducks. Her biggest pleasure was when her family and friends would visit her, her face would light up with joy. And if we brought her sweets, especially a Hershey Bar or a Honey Bun, you would make her day.She was known as Mom and Nanny to her family. She was strong, independent and resourceful. She was so loved and will be terribly missed. But we are at peace because we know that she is resting in the arms of Jesus and back with her beloved John after 9 years of being apart. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2021 at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave. at 10:00 am and visitation 9:30 until 10:00 am. with Charles Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park East on Hawthorne Road. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Haven Hospice. Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528