Colette Riffenburg

Colette Ann Riffenburg passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2021, with her family by her side, after a 20 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Colette was born on January 4, 1948, to Alexander “Ted” Greenlaw and Mary Esther (Dumas). She graduated in 1966 from Traverse City St. Francis. On June 24, 1967, she married Richard “Dick” Riffenburg at the Immaculate Conception Church. She and Dick had two children, R. Craig and Lisa Anne. She worked for many years for the State of Michigan, retiring early in 2002 due to her illness.

Colette was a tireless advocate for her family, especially her daughter. Her family meant everything to her. Colette enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially playing cards with close friends.

Leaving behind to cherish her memory is her husband of 53 years, Dick; her son, R. Craig and his wife, Kara, and daughter, Sydney; and their daughter, Lisa Anne. She is predeceased by her parents and an older brother, Arthur. Her remaining siblings are, as follows: Frank of Traverse City, Robert of Kingsley, Paul of Grand Rapids, and M. Valerie (Cameron) Wolff of Sunbury, Ohio.

There is no memorial service planned. The family will gather later in the year to celebrate her life.

The family asks for no flowers. If you’d like to remember her, please consider a donation to the Father Fred Foundation.

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