Sophia Henrika Johanna Colan

It is with deep sadness and abiding hope in Jesus Christ that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grand-mother Sophia Colan, 84, in Ashburn, Virginia on October 21, 2023.

Sophia was born November 24, 1938, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the daughter of Otto Witter, a German in the import/export business, and Johanna Posthumus, his beautiful Dutch bride. A few years later the family was separated by WWII and neither of Sophia's parents survived the war. Sophia and her sister, Caroline, went to live at the Kinderschifferheim (Ship's children's home) in Mannheim, Germany and remained there throughout their school years. Sophia spent her summers aboard the "Carolina-Sophie", her family's one remaining ship, as it transported goods up and down Europe's waterways. Upon graduation from high school, Sophia lived and worked in Italy and Switzerland, learning every aspect of the hotel business from administration to housekeeping until taking a position as a bookkeeper for the US Army at Heilbronn, Germany. There she met a dashing young American Army Lieutenant, named Ron Colan, who was instantly smitten with her. They married in 1965, started a family and embarked on a 30-year adventure as an Army family, raising three children in Germany, Korea, and numerous US installations. They endured two yearlong separations as Ron went to Vietnam and many shorter ones at the direction of the Army. Sophia embraced the Army spouse life, making dear friends across the globe, saying hello and goodbye often, and caring for the unit and soldiers and Army families just as Ron did. Sophia had a way of picking up "strays", inviting people far from home and soldiers on duty to join the family for holiday meals and celebrations and fun. Their table was always full and people felt cared for and valued. Sophia enjoyed travel and took advantage of every
opportunity in Europe and Asia to see new sights from Japan and the Philippines to Scandinavia and the USSR. Following their retirement to Virginia from active duty, Sophia found plenty to keep her busy in their new community…first and foremost, grandchildren! Oma loved them deeply and the feeling was mutual! Sophia continued to host friends, neighbors, church small group and anyone else that Ron dragged home! All felt welcome and at home, especially if they were served some of Sophia's German potato salad or spätzle! Sophia loved gardening, the outdoors and all things growing. She loved to sew and knit, making a beautiful Christmas stocking for each family member through the years. She was smart and curious and dug with the Fairfax County Archeological Society at Sully and other historic Virginia sites, delighting in the smallest find! She translated difficult to decipher civil war era letters from German soldiers to English for the National Parks Service. She enjoyed puzzles and games and the challenge of a difficult crossword or sudoku or checkbook error! In her 10 year struggle with
Alzheimer's, she never lost her quiet sweetness. Sophia was beloved by all and will be greatly missed.

Sophia is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ron of Ashburn VA; oldest son Peter (Carol) of Tucson, AZ; daughter Estella (Jeff) of Carlisle, PA; son Ron (Saundra) of Berryville, VA; grandchildren Megann, Brandon (Stephanie), Hannah (James), Jennifer (Justin), Kristin, Janine, Isabel and Naomi; and great�grandchildren Sophia, Penelope and Cameron.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, VA. A viewing will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, October 28, followed by a funeral service at 1:00pm at the Colonial Funeral Home (201 Edwards Ferry Rd. NE; Leesburg, VA)

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Sophia's memory to the Alzheimer's Association here or join a Walk to End Alzheimer's near you!