Elvera Mary Ann (Olsen) Colleran (83)

Vera was born in Queens, NY, to the late Fred Olsen and Gilda (Costello Olsen) Griffin. Vera met her first husband John, got married in October 1959, and started their family on Long Island, NY. Eight children later the family was complete. In 1980, John and Vera, with their three youngest, moved to Belleview, FL. Vera was a stay-at-home mom most her life, but in Belleview she worked at a daycare center caring for children, a job she enjoyed. Vera lost her husband in November, 1998. She moved to Delaware for a short while where she first met Ralph Morra. She moved back to Florida, but this time only for a short while. Ralph came to Florida, and like a knight on a white horse, he brought his love back to Delaware. Ralph and Vera became snow birds sharing their time between Delaware and Florida, but eventually Florida won. They got married in August, 2020. However, she lost her second husband in February, 2022. In March, 2024, she moved to Florence, SC, with her daughter and son. Vera loved traveling, especially cruises; the casinos (whenever she could); and time spent with family. In addition to her parents, Vera is preceded in death by her husbands John and Ralph and her brother Fred. She is survived by her children: John (Kathy) Colleran and daughter Donna (Edward) Ruyter of Dover, DE; Tom (Christine) Colleran of Shirley, NY; George (Joanna) Colleran of Goodyear, AZ; Dan Colleran of Florence, SC; Brett (Leif) Colleran of Berwyn, IL; Glen (Kim) Colleran of Belleview, FL; and Stacie (Anthony) Morra of Florence, SC. Vera leaves behind her grandchildren: Mychael (Keli), Brian, Katrina (Kenny), Kaitlyn (Tristan), Lenny, Hunter, Julia, Sean, Hallie, Jason, Kenneth (Andrea), Ericka, and Dawn. She leaves behind her four-legged grandchildren: Sydney and Scarlett. In addition, she leaves behind 13 great grand children. Vera is survived by her sisters Kathleen Glenn and Angela Fourakre of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind her life-long Eleonor Pinkosh of Mastic Beach, NY. Vera’s wishes were to cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life in her honor in the near future, date to be later be announced. Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.