Kolleen Roberts and The Big Nail
As many people know, the Big Nail family recently suffered a major loss. For those of you who are new the Big Nail community, I have sad news to share.
My oldest daughter–my angel–my 18-year-old Kolleen, A.K.A. “KoRo,” passed away quite unexpectedly on Memorial Day. Kolleen was everything to me and my wife Kathleen and our two other children, Kyle and Kaleigh. These last 10 days have been both a horror and an honor. If you’re a parent, you know the horror part. The honor part has been as a result of the outpouring of love and support from nearly every corner of the planet.
To see for yourself what an amazing friend, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, teammate, neighbor, and daughter Kolleen was, please click here for a tribute blog that was created by some of my assistants in the early hours of this tragedy.
We’ll be back soon with updated news and information about the Big Nail’s appearences and travels. Until then, I just wanted to say to everyone who has shared a thought, memory, or kind word with my family and me since Memorial Day, we thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. These are difficult and trying times, to say the least, and your support has been of great comfort to everyone in my family, as well as to the entire Big Nail community.
A Ralph Roberts Site, Copyright © 2006 - |
Sophomore, Kolleen Roberts
Photograph courtesty of Katie Till
September 15, 2006
By Rachel Kowalski
Senior Writer
Kolleen Roberts, Clinton Township sophomore, died May 29 in a boating accident on Lake St. Clair.
While attending Chippewa Valley High School, Roberts participated in a number of sports including basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball and track. She continued her passion for athletics at Albion as a member of the JV basketball team and majored in athletic training. Roberts was also involved on campus as a member of Habitat for Humanity. Friends and Faculty remember Kolleen Roberts and the lasting impact she had on the Albion College Community.
“It’s hard to pick one defining characteristic to describe Kolleen because she embodied so many. She was outgoing and always so caring. She was the person you could go to with your problems because she was the one who would work to help you find the best possible outcome. Kolleen taught me to put my heart into everything I do and everyone around me.”
- Gretchen Smith, Downer’s Grove, Ill. sophomore, and friend
“Kolleen had an amazing maturity about her. She was a leader, but not in the typical way. She was a servant-leader who helped to make others around her better, which leads to a better result for everyone. This is a unique leadership to have and she had it, on the basketball court, in the athletic training room, and in class. When it came to all aspects of what it took to succeed, she had it all.”
- Dr. Richard Moss, Director of the Athletic Training Education Program
“Kolleen was very energetic and made people laugh. She was caring and always brought out the best in other people. She brought out the best in me and I admire her attitude towards life. She lived life without regret.”
- Katie Spencer, St. Ignace sophomore, classmate and friend
“It was easy to become friends with Kolleen because she was outgoing and very kind. She was never judgmental about anybody and was always willing to listen. She cared about her friends, and always made a point to visit someone she hadn’t seen in a while.”
- Jason Swank, Brown City senior, classmate and friend
A memorial service of celebration and remembrance was held August 27, in Wesley Chapel. A scholarship fund has been established in Roberts’ name and friends and students can contribute donations or are encouraged to post comments on her website at www.kolleenroberts.com.
Comment by RALPH R ROBERTS — September 17, 2006 @ 11:25 pm