Colleen Scribner Balestrieri's Obituary
Colleen Scribner Balestrieri, 74, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away November 1, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Colleen was born March 17, 1949, in Garden City, New York, to Kimball J. Scribner and Gloria Dickinson Scribner.
Colleen graduated from Nursing School at Lasell College in Auburndale, Massachusetts, in 1969 and began her career at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She loved nursing and excelled in her career, spanning nearly 50 years, as a Registered Nurse, Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse and Certified Case Manager.
She and her beloved sister, Susan Scribner, traveled the world together – participating in the Daily Mail Trans-Atlantic Air Race in 1969 and using prize money to become among the first female students to enroll in the pilot training program and earn a Private Pilot License at Embry-Riddle University in Daytona, Florida. While working as a nurse at Embry-Riddle, Colleen met Peter A. Balestrieri who was a flight student beginning his career in aviation. The two would marry in 1975 and build a beautiful life and family together.
Colleen is survived by her loving husband, Peter, daughters Kimberly (Geoff) Wilson, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Alissa Balestrieri of Gainesville, Florida, as well as her four grandchildren (Reaves, Harrison, Emilia, Cooper) and many friends, colleagues, and extended family members - all of whom count Colleen among the strongest people they’ve ever known. Despite recent health challenges, Colleen continued to pursue her love of travel and adventure - and never missed the opportunity to love and support her family and friends. We will all miss and love her eternally.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in her name to the Foundation for Academic Nursing (aacnnursing.org/foundation) which supports future nursing leaders in pursuit of education.
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