Colleen Hathaway, Age 87, of Madison, Ohio, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2011 at home.

Born September 3, 1923 in Ashtabula, to Gail (Westcott) & Ralph Edixon, she Married Samuel Paul Hathaway on May 13, 1944

Colleen was a member of the original group of families who started the Madison YMCA. She was an active member and was a part of the foundation of teaching volunteers. She and other Moms taught Madison kids how to swim at the Township Park before there was a Y pool. She worked as a swim instructor at the Y for over forty years and was part of the Lifeguard Training Program. She spent many years as a member of the Madison Y Board of Directors. She and husband Sam were members of the YMCA Heritage Club. Sam and Colleen ?donated? their large back yard for neighborhood baseball games when their children were in school. They enjoyed watching the games go on until it was too dark to see the ball. Forty years later, they were delighted when white-haired old men and women would show up on the doorstep and introduce themselves as one of the little kids who used to play ball in the back yard. Colleen loved her children tremendously and she supported all three by attending every band or choir concert, play, football game and wrestling match. She didn?t like watching wrestling, but went anyway. Mom and Dad rarely missed one of the children?s school events, and the kids knew they were there and loved them for it. She and Sam greatly valued education and they taught their children that earning college degrees was expected. They attended their children?s graduations with pride and love, and the kids knew they were there and loved them for it. Colleen enjoyed playing bridge, and was a favorite in certain bridge circles! She lived a full and rich life and really DID die surrounded by family and friends.

She is survived by Daughter, Cheryl Hathaway of Madison; Sons, Reggie (Joyce) Hathaway of Cleveland, TN & Samuel ?Shad? (Marcia) Hathaway of Scandia, MN; Grandchildren, Regina, Kelly, Leah, Hannah, & Adam Hathaway;

Great-Grandchild, Conor & Favorite Kitty, Weezer.

She was preceded in death by Husband, Samuel Paul Hathaway in 2009; Parents; Sister, Margie Edixon Jones and her wonderful rescue collie, Charlie.

Friends will be received 2-4:00 pm, Sunday, April 10, 2011, at The Behm Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26 River Street, Madison, Ohio. Memorial Service will follow at 4:00 pm with Rev. William Alvey officiating.

Final Resting Place will be at Fairview Cemetery in Madison.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 East 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119, Lake County YMCA, East End Branch, 730 North Lake St., Madison, OH 44057, or Central Congregational Church, Stained Glass Window Fund, 71 Park St., Madison, OH 44057.