Frances Nejmeh Colie

Doctor Frances Nejmeh Colie, 92, passed away in a house fire in her home in Belmar NJ.

Frances was employed at Allen B. DuMont Laboratories in her early career and then at St Michael's School, and later at Passaic Valley HS as a teacher, guidance counselor, career development counselor, and ultimately, as Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Shortly after retirement she accepted the position of Director of Religious Educational Services in the US, where she engaged and supported religious education and educators, traveling around the country giving lectures and authoring religious Ed publications, as well as writing many theological for Sophia Magazine.

Frances graduated from Rutgers University, then received a Master’s degree from Montclair State University, a Theological Degree from The John 23rd center of Fordham University in NYC, before getting her Educational Doctorate from Fordham.

Born and raised in Paterson NJ before settling in West Paterson upon marrying John Edwin Colie, Attorney at Law. Fran and John raised their family in Woodland Park and were active in St Ann’s Melkite Church and local communities. In later life, they divided their time between Belmar NJ and Deerfield Beach FL.

Frances is united in heaven with her husband, John and her brother, George Nejmeh, her sister, Lenore Dickerson, her parents, Elsie and Aref Nejmeh and her aunt Leona Hajjar.

Fran is survived by her loving children, Dr Christine Colie and her husband, Brian, John Edwin Colie Jr and his wife, Teresa, and Kevin Matthew Colie and his wife, Sandy, and her grandchildren: Alex, Addie, Nicholas, Jack, JJ, Sebastian, and Iliana, as well as her sister Patricia Farley, nieces and nephews, and countless people whose lives she touched through her work in Guidance, Career Ed, in her church community, and as Director of Education Services for the Melkite Catholic Church in the US for many years. Frances had a strong commitment to her faith and to counseling throughout her life.

Though continuously busy, Frances always had time to listen, open her door, share her thoughts, make a quick meal, and serve her family and her community. May her Memory be Eternal!

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Saint Ann Melkite Catholic Church located at 802 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ. Her funeral is Thursday at the same church at 10am please arrive at 9am.