Colleen Reah Maschmedt passed away peacefully in her home on Whidbey Island on May 25, 2024, at the age of 81 surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Colleen was born in Seattle on November 20, 1942, to parents Albert Altabet and June Bellinger. She leaves behind her three children Jena (Jonathan) Murphy, Anthony (Abbey) Maschmedt, Todd (Leslie) Maschmedt, and two additional sons Bob (Janet) Maschmedt Jr. and Don (Emily) Maschmedt along with her longtime friend and companion, their father, Bob Maschmedt. Together they had 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Deitra Bjornathun, countless friends, relatives, and her beloved dog, Yona.
Above all, Colleen was a matriarch. She cherished her family and adored being a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, great-grandmother, and a child of God. She was passionate about creating spaces where family and friends could come together to make lasting memories and share laughter, delicious food, and great conversation. Her Sephardic heritage inspired her cooking and yearning to break bread with her loved ones. Colleen’s devotion to God was unwavering. She dedicated much of her life to strengthening this relationship and sharing God’s goodness with others.
Colleen inherited her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit from her parents. Her parents owned a flower shop on Capitol Hill and later her father had a famous flower shop in the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market and she followed in their footsteps. Colleen owned several small businesses including a card shop also in the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. However, Colleen’s true life’s work was as an award-winning interior designer and builder. She had a knack for transforming spaces into beautiful dwellings that perfectly suited their inhabitants. She ran a successful design business that spanned over 45 years. Colleen never stopped creating, she continued to work with friends, neighbors, and clients into her 80s. She also began designing and building her final home on the shore of Columbia Beach, which she completed in 2022.
Whidbey Island was Colleen’s beloved home for over 40 years. There, she touched many lives through design and her enviable gift for hospitality and generosity. One particularly memorable place is Sunlight Beach on Useless Bay, where she renovated, designed and built houses. Her legacy lives on in those structures, especially her home, the family compound, where countless family gatherings were hosted. She loved entertaining and her door was always open to anyone who stopped by for a visit and a glass of wine. She rejoiced in the simple pleasures of island living– long beach walks and hikes with friends, her children, grandchildren, and her dog.
Music made Colleen’s soul come alive. She cherished artists like Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Madeliene Peyroux and wonderful old hymns. On any given day, you would hear music playing loudly from her speakers and she would be unapologetically singing her heart out. But it was Norah Jones whom she treasured most and “Come Away With Me” will forever be the soundtrack of her life and bring Colleen’s memory to our hearts.
Colleen Reah Maschmedt will be remembered as an extraordinary mother, a gifted interior designer, an amazing hostess, a loving family member and friend. Her lasting legacy of passion, creativity, and love will continue to inspire anyone fortunate enough to have known her.
“And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I’m safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me
Come away with me and we’ll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I’ll never stop loving you” Norah Jones
Please join us for a Celebration of Life On Saturday August 3rd @ 2:30 Island Church 503 Cascade Ave. Langley, WA 98260
