Obituary of Colleen Ann Bentley

Colleen Ann O'Shea Bentley, of Cortland, NY passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 16, 2020 at the age of 79 due to brain cancer. She was a sister, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and dear friend to many. She was born on May 18, 1941 in Cortland, daughter of the late Robert and Leona Nixon O'Shea and was the oldest of 2 children. She graduated Cortland High School in 1959 and Cazenovia College in 1961. After college, she moved to Rochester and worked as a secretary in a pediatric office. In 1967 she married Captain Robert (Bob) Bentley of the Air Force. During Bob's tour of duty in Vietnam, Colleen gave birth to her first son, James. When Bob returned to the States, they together moved to Ft. Walton Beach, FL, where they would have two more children, daughter Barbara, and son David. Later Colleen and the kids moved back to Cortland, where Colleen worked for the Homer Central School District. First as teacher aide, then becoming a secretary for the Director of Curriculum. She worked there for 30 years, before retiring in 2009. She had a reputation for being no-nonsense, but had the admiration and respect from her bosses, co-workers, and the students; no one had a bad word to say about her. After retiring in 2009 she volunteered at Cortland Memorial Hospital/Guthrie Medical Center in the ER and First in Surgery. As a devout Catholic, she was very active with her church, St. Mary's of Cortland. She was the leader of the prayer chain, a Eucharistic minister, and helped in any way she could with events at both the church and school. Colleen loved being part of her Church and local community. It was her extended family. Cortland was her home, and she was proud of that. She loved helping people and always put others before herself. She cared for her parents when they fell ill. She always kept her home open to anybody who needed it. Whether for a child coming home, or housing grandchildren when they needed a place to stay, or for family and friends traveling through Cortland, she made you a meal and gave you a bed to sleep on. She made you feel that you belonged. Her passion was her family, with which she enjoyed spending her time with. Colleen was predeceased by her parents Robert and Leona O'Shea. She is survived by her son James Bentley (Shelly Vreeland) of Painted Post, NY, daughter Barbara (Ted) Postma of New Berlin, NY, and son David Bentley (Jodi Scheckermann) of Washington, DC, and her grandchildren Justin (Monika) and Chace Bentley, and Ryan, Teddy, Timothy, John and Christine Postma, and her great-grandson Evan Bentley, and her sister Maureen O'Shea (Richard) Kelly of St. George, UT, their three daughters and families. Her kindness and generosity will be long remembered. Due to gathering restrictions, calling hours and funeral will take place the weekend of May 14-15, 2021. ?Please?visit facebook.com/colleenannbentley or E-mail?cobentley96@gmail.com?to keep updated on services and calling hours. To offer online condolences please visit?www.wright-beard.com.