Colleene Patricia Rex

Colleene Patricia Rex, 86 of West Palm Beach, died Thursday May 4, 2011. She was born October 5, 1924 in Lake Worth, Florida to the late Otto & Frieda (Wolery) Mitchell. She was orphaned by the age of 7 and she and her younger brother, Bill, were raised by their maternal grandparents, Charles & Anna Wolery. She graduated from Lake Worth High School in 1942 and married Joseph Rex of New York in October of that year. They had four children; Joseph Jr., Janice, Kathleen and Micahel. While she was attending college, her husband of 24 years died after a short illness. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1967 with a B.S. in education. She started teaching that year and continued her education, receiving teo post-graduate degrees. Retiring from teaching in 1982, she continued working in customer service at Jordan Marsh from which she retired in 1989. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Worth, serving as a Deacon, and Elder and as Clerk of the Session. She also served on several Presbytery committees and was a Commission to the 1984 General Assembly. She was anactive member of the Palm Beach County Branch of the American Association of University Women and the Palm Beach County Genealogical Society until physicial problems made her unable to participate. A regular blood donor, she gave over 20 gallons of blood. She loved to read and travel as opportunities to visit many parts of the world came her way. She enjoyed swimming, snorkeling and photography. She is survived by her loving sons, Joseph (Sharon) Rex of Huron, SD; Michael Rex of Lake Worth, Florida; loving daughters, Janice (Steve) Ross of West Palm Beach, Florida; Kathleen (Jon) Grief of La Jolla, CA; 4 grandchildren, John Ross of Lake Worth; Michael (Richale) of Lake Worth, Melissa (Jeremiah) Peterson of Mt. Vernon, SD; Ian Grief of La Jolla, CA and 6 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Carol Mitchell Levy; her niece, Donna Mitchell and nephew, William (Sharon) Mitchell. A Memorial service for Colleene will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Worth. Private cremation services are under the care of Tillman Funeral Home, 2170 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida.