Obituary of Mildred Colley

Mildred E. Colley (Millie) died on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ. Born and raised in Chester County, Pa., she lived most of her adult life in Fanwood, Plainfield, and Edison, NJ. She is a graduate of West Chester University, Westchester, Pa. She is the widow of the late Arthur T. Colley, M.D. a noted neuro-psychiatrist who died in 1973, and the daughter of the late Robert Patterson Ecker and Ruth Hoffecker Ecker. She was predeceased by her brothers Robert and J. Leonard Ecker. She was also the mother John H. Bryan III who is a leading developer of the multi-billion asset-backed commercial paper market. Mildred was devoted to her children, her community, and her church. Her love of music came from her father, who was recognized as one of the great coronet virtuosos in the northeast. He was a composer and conductor, as well as the Director of the Pottstown Band and Director of Music at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pottstown, Pa. Millie's devotion to her church and community has been recognized many times. She was an active member of The Crescent Avenue Church in Plainfield, NJ, and responsible for raising thousands of dollars for The Organ Fund to restore the famous pipe organ to its former glory. She was the former President of the Evening Guild and an active member for fifty years. As a long time member and Past-President of the Children's Service Committee of Family and Children's Services of Union County, she was recently honored with their Lifetime Achievement Award. Beneficiaries of Millie's fund-raising skills included the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, the Muhlenberg Hospital Auxiliary, The Monday Afternoon Club, The King's Daughters, and The Heart Fund. She led a fascinating life that included travels to both Europe and Asia. She was a charter member of the Westfield Subscription Dance Group and the Philathalians Dramatic Club. She was also a member of the Plainfield Country Club for sixty years. Millie was an avid bridge player and supporter of the arts. She is remembered as an intelligent, spiritual, caring, and enormously complex woman. One could sense her vitality, strength, joie de vivre, and above all, her love. All who knew her will miss this beautiful woman. She leaves behind seven children from her marriages to the late John H. Bryan, Jr. and the late Arthur T. Colley, M.D.: John H. Bryan III (wife Deli) of Scarsdale, NY, Suzanne Bryan O'Keeffe (husband Timothy) of West Hyannisport, MA, Roberta Bryan Harty Berg (husband Victor) of Annandale, NJ, Robert D. Bryan of Edison, NJ, Beth D. Colley-Brooks (husband Chuck) of Sparks, MD, Amy Jo Colley-Halliburton (husband Murphy) of Hasting on Hudson, NY, and Arthur L. Colley (wife Nicole) of Charlotte, NC. Her nine grandchildren are John H. Bryan IV, Emily Bryan, Christine Harty, Sanford Harty, Clare O'Keeffe, Luca Cobucci, Sophie Halliburton, Arthur Lawrence Colley, Jr. and Clayton Colley. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of The Crescent Avenue Church, 716 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060. Friends may gather after the service in The Guild Room of the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family and Children's Services, 40 North Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07208.