About Colleen
Colleen Martha GormleyOccupational Therapist
Colleen Martha Gormley, 33, who worked as an occupational therapist for Montgomery County Public Schools, died of brain cancer Nov. 27 at Bethesda Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Mrs. Gormley was born in Waldorf and was a 1991 graduate of Colonel Zadok Magruder High School of Rockville. She received a bachelor's degree in health sciences in 1995 and a master's degree in occupational therapy in 1996, both from Duquesne University of Pittsburgh.
She was a member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church of Rockville. Survivors include her husband, Michael A. Gormley, and two sons, Ian M. Gormley and Cole M. Gormley, all of Olney; her parents, Dr. Richard C. and Jeanne M. Steffan of Rockville; and a brother, Scott R. Steffan of Olney.
"There is a plan, a good plan. Everything has a good plan no matter what it is, and God has a reason for everything." -- Colleen Martha Steffan Gormley at Dinner at Julies for Oprah taping - January 27, 2006.
Friends walk, raise funds to fight cancer
March 27, 2006
By Sonia Boin
Frederick News-Post Staff
DAMASCUS -- Three years into a battle with brain cancer, Colleen Gormley still has a strong sense of humor and a cheerful attitude. She also has a lot of close friends.
One of them, Erica Petrolle of Damascus, cites Ms. Gormley's habit of wearing funky hats and outfits to match. "She gets out a lot," Ms. Petrolle said. "She has a great sense of humor that still comes through. She's the kind of person who makes everybody want to become her friend."
Ms. Gormley, who has sons 2 and 4 years old, is a former occupational therapist with the Montgomery County school system. She and her family live in Olney.
Ms. Gormley and Ms. Petrolle are part a group of 10 women who have been together since their days at Magruder High School. Many of the friends, who have stuck together through adolescence, marriage and the birth of their children, will be walking in the Damascus Relay For Life with a new team called Colleen's Army.
The relay on the football field of Damascus High School is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The rules require at least one team member be on the track throughout the all-night walk, which begins at 2 p.m. May 6 and ends at 7 a.m. May 7.
Colleen's Army has already met its first goal of $3,000 and has set a second target of $5,000. Mindy Conway, the chairperson of the Damascus Relay, said there will be a survivor luncheon at Damascus High School on May 6 for about 250 people who have battled the disease. She said the lunch, bands, entertainment and signs are all being donated. There will be a luminaria ceremony at dusk, with candles burning inside white paper bags bearing the names of people battling cancer or who have died of cancer. The track will be lined with the bags, and there will be five minutes of silence.
"There will be a fun, party atmosphere before it becomes somber at the end," Ms. Conway said. She said her own team -- Hope for the Next Generation -- includes parents who live in Damascus and "all have little kids and want to find a cure so our kids won't have to deal with this."
Ms. Petrolle said Ms. Gormley's response to friends when they comment on her great attitude is simple. "There is a plan," she says, "a good plan.--Everything has a good plan no matter what it is, and God has a reason for everything." Told about the publicity being generated for the relay, Ms. Gormley said, "I have the best friends anyone could ask for. I can't say enough about how much they do for me."
"She is truly an amazing person," Ms. Petrolle said. "She has endured these past three years with amazing dignity and grace, and she's been a true inspiration to all of us. A piece of us is going to go with her."
