Coreen Collins Deering

Coreen Catherine Deering passed away the morning of Thursday, January 5, 2017, in her robe and slippers; with her morning paper and computer nearby, and a cup of coffee in hand. Coreen was born August 29, 1939 in Oxford, Iowa. She graduated from the Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa; with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Music. She married Donald E. Derring in 1969 and moved from Chicago to the Washington D.C. area, where she taught elementary music for over 20 years. They had many friends in the Washington D.C. area and enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay most weekends. They retired in the late 90's and spent several years aboard their sailboat, 'Spindrift', in the Florida Keys. They finally came ashore on Dataw Island, near Beaufort, South Carolina, and built a home. Coreen enjoyed Garden Club, Bridge, entertaining, and socializing with many wonderful friends and neighbors. Coreen is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Deering; her parents, Joseph and Geneva Collins; and siblings, Melanie, Thomas, and James Collins. She is survived by her sister, Mary Jo Collins of Lawrenceville, Illinois; sister-in-law, Pauline Collins of Tiffin, Iowa; niece, Melanie Frees; great nieces, Ashley and Heather Frees of Tiffin, Iowa; nephew, Matthew Collins of North Liberty, Iowa; great-nephews, Nicholas and Mason; great-niece, Meagan and her son, Easton; and close cousins, Robert and Carolyn Pulman of Iowa City, Iowa. Coreen was a cancer survivor and bravely fought throat cancer in 2013-2014. She led a very active life; attending mass weekly, participating in Garden Club and Bridge Club on Dataw Island. She was a member of Island Friends, and also worked part time at Rossingnols Gift Shop in Beaufort, for Charles and Ginger Aimar. Coreen lived life, loved people, friends and family. She lived her life to the absolute fullest. Coreen did not pass away with 'boots' on, but with 'slippers' on and a cup of coffee in hand, ready to embrace the new day. A funeral mass will be conducted Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter Catholic Church in Beaufort, South Carolina. A celebration of life will follow in the Carolina Room at the Club on Dataw Island from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. A funeral mass will be conducted at a later date in Iowa. God Bless Forever. 'Corinna, Corinna