Colleen Marie Houghton, age 70, born in Bronx, NY, to the late Robert and Elizabeth Wagner, passed away July 8, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, memories, and family who will carry her spirit forward.
Colleen is deeply missed and affectionately remembered by her lifelong love and devoted husband of 50 years, Robert Lawrence Houghton; sons, Christopher (Karrie) and Kevin (Hannah) Houghton; grandchildren, Taylor, Madelyn, Elizabeth, Andrew, Chase, Alexander, and Jackson Houghton; siblings, Donald (Elizabeth) and Kevin (Anne) Wagner; nephews and nieces, Matthew (Carmelina), Shannon, Stephen, and Caitlin Wagner, as well as countless extended family and friends.
Colleen lived a life defined by quiet, steadfast generosity, offering her time, her talents, and her heart wherever they were needed most. Among the many professional roles she held, she was especially proud of her work as an Employment Professional with the Spring Dell Center in La Plata, MD, where she championed individuals with disabilities and celebrated every victory- large or small- with genuine joy. Her days were stitched together with whimsy: the thrill of a perfectly thrifted treasure, the delight she found in birdsong outside her window, and the way she could turn an ordinary moment into something worth remembering. Colleen also had a gift for gifting- thoughtful, personal, and often accompanied by a handwritten letter that made you feel seen in a way only she could manage. She loved books, loved people, and loved the gentle connections that came from sharing both. Her life was a tapestry of kindness and curiosity, with everyone who knew her carrying a piece of that with them. Colleen leaves behind so many who were shaped by her care, and who will continue to honor her through the stories they tell and the traditions they keep.
A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Twiford Memorial Chapel, for family and friends in the Currituck, NC area.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 (what would have been her 71st birthday), for family and friends at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Charlotte Hall, Maryland. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 p.m. All who knew and loved Colleen are welcome to attend and celebrate her beautiful life.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Colleen’s honor to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (https://donate.cancer.org) or to the Currituck County Animal Shelter, 153 Courthouse Road, Suite 900, Currituck, NC 27929 (https://currituckcountync.gov/animal-services-control).
