GREAT CRANBERRY ISLAND – Renna Susan Colby, after years of battling cystic fibrosis, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital with her mother, Gaile Colby, and loved ones by her side. Renna was just 42 years old and had spent much of that in and out of hospitals with pneumonia due to her illness. Born Jan. 8, 1968, to Gaile and the late Royal (Tinker) Colby, Renna was the youngest of five children and never let you forget that she was the baby of the family. She attended the one-room school on Great Cranberry Island and then went on to Mount Desert Island High School to finish her education and make lifelong friends. She often mentioned that she would have liked to have been a veterinarian assistant or to have worked with animals in some capacity. She was well known on the island as an animal lover and was often asked advice on training or health issues by other pet owners. On cool fall mornings she could he seen walking an assortment of dogs, from curbstone-setter to purebred Dalmatians. Many pets were well loved by this woman. She leaves behind three special pets, Lazy, a very independent cat; and her two poodles, Bandit and DeeDee, who will make their home with Renna’s mother and stepfather. Renna had many jobs throughout the years including, childcare, dog walker, caretaker and more, but the one she will be remembered for is being the general at Cranberry General Store for more than 12 years. She was a no nonsense person who didn’t care if you were worth five million or five cents. She was fondly called information central by all and a quick call to the store would get you a weather report, workmen’s schedules, daily specials, pet advice, the morning news, a joke and a list of who went off island and for what reason. She could be very funny and possessed a quick wit. She loved board and card games and would often spend winter evenings with her sister playing Yahtzee or Sorry with a hot cup of tea and a bowl of popcorn. Renna loved the holidays, all of them from Groundhog Day to Christmas. One of the things that gave her the most pleasure was assisting Santa with filling Christmas stockings for her family and friends. She always helped him pick out just the right gifts. He will miss her this year. Renna is survived by her mother, Gaile Colby; stepfather, Arvard Savage; a sister, Eileen Richards; a brother, Blair Colby, all of Great Cranberry Island; and sister-in-law, Kate Colby and her children, Brittony and Ethan, of Trenton. She leaves behind her longtime companion and best friend, Harry Beers III and his children who she loved as her own, Hope, Caitlin and Harry IV. Many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins held a special place in her heart. Renna was predeceased by her son, Benjamin Beers; her father, Royal (Tinker) Colby; brother, Lyndon Colby; and sister, Rhonda Colby King. The family thanks all the staff at Mount Desert Island Hospital, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center for their care of Renna throughout the years. Because of her love of animals, the family asks that donations be made to the animal shelter of your choice in memory of Renna. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com. Calm winds and following seas, Renna you will be missed by all.
RENNA SUSAN COLBY
