Colleen A. O'Meara-Schams 1935-2003

OMEARA, SCHAMS, HANTELMANN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 11/3/2016 at 22:13:10

O'Meara-Schams, Colleen A.
MADISON - Colleen A. O'Meara-Schams, age 67, of Madison, died on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at University Hospital following complications of multiple myeloma.

She was born on Oct. 20, 1935, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Michael and Hernelda (Hantelmann) O'Meara. She graduated from St. Columbkille Catholic High School in 1953. She attended Clarke College in Iowa and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1957. She furthered her education at the University of Iowa with a master's degree in musicology. Colleen worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District primarily at Van Hise and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools in vocal music. Shortly after she began working in Madison she received a fellowship at Boston University for doctoral study. She was a passionate teacher who expected and strove for perfection from the thousands of students she taught. She acknowledged a bit of imperfection, but fully expects to be the first Saint Colleen. Her Catholic faith guided her life and in retirement she volunteered much of her time to Red Cross, UW Hospital, Knights of Columbus social events and was very active at her church St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

She was proud of her Irish heritage, she was pleased to be co-president of the Dane County Shamrock Club Inc. the past two years. Colleen was a world traveler touring more than 140 countries, every continent and on one special trip traveled 72 days on a train from Hong Kong to London.

She married Albert Schams on June 21, 1980, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Albert of Madison; a sister-in-law, Janet O'Meara of Dubuque; several cousins and many dear friends across the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Michael J. and Jerry. Funeral services will be held at the ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 11 a.m. Monsignor Terrence Connors will officiate. Burial services will be held at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa, on Monday, July 28, 2003, at 11 a.m. for friends and relatives. Friends may call at the ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH on Saturday, July 26, 2003, from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

may be made to the UW Comprehensive Cancer Research Center., She was my soul mate with whom I traveled the world. She is now with God traveling in eternity. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257 www.ryanfuneralservice.com.