Wanda Jean McCollum

McCollum

Wanda Jean, age 85, of Fairfield passed away on September 17, 2018. She was born on August 26, 1933 in Oxford,OH to the late Kash and Zona (nee Blake) McCollum. She is preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Gwendolyn and Ray W. States. She is survived by her beloved nieces, Karen R. (Jeff) Burrell and Wilma K. (Dave) Kass; great-nephew, Phil (Nikki) Burrell; great-niece, Kim Burrell; great-great-niece, Elliana Burrell; great-great-nephew, Parker Burrell; cousin, Joe Blake; and life-long friend, Helen H. Byrd, who has taken such great care of her for the past six years. The family would like to thank Queen City Elder Care and Hospice of Cincinnati for providing such wonderful care and support.

Wanda Jean retired as principal from Evendale Elementary (Princeton School District). She was also Principal at Heritage Hill Elementary (Princeton School District) for many years, and assistant principal at Lincoln Heights Elementary (Princeton School District). She often said that "she loved every minute of her career." She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi and the Butler Belles Red Hats. She was active in her church as a Deacon, Elder, and Treasurer, as well as serving on the board of The Open Door Food Pantry in Hamilton, OH. As a cancer survivor, she volunteered at Mercy Fairfield Hospital in the cancer care unit.

Wanda Jean loved to dance (especially teaching Arthur Murray ball room dance classes with her life-long friend, Mary Rolfson); travel the country by planes, trains, RVs, and cruise ships; and host a variety of social events at her beautiful home. Her love of theater was apparent by her involvement in 10 different Broadway plays at Princeton High School (to benefit the Princeton Scholarship Fund) as stage manager, director, or actor. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and life-long friends.

Visitation will be Friday, September 21, 2018 from 10 -11 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church, 23 South Front Street, Hamilton, OH 45011. There is additional parking across the street at 23 Court Street (the corner of Monument Street and Court Street). Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., with Dr. John Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at West Chester Cemetery.

You are also invited to share your memories with the family by visiting Wanda Jean's on-line tribute page at www.avancefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to The Presbyterian Church, 23 South Front Street, Hamilton, OH 45011, and/or The Open Door Food Pantry, 800 South Front Street, Hamilton, OH 45011.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wanda Jean McCollum, please visit our floral store.