Remembering Coleen Driskell: A Life of Light, A Call for Mental Health Awareness
Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Shirley Coleen Driskell, 66, of Excelsior Springs, died on December 2, 2024, a loss that deeply impacted her community and underlined the importance of mental health support, particularly for older adults and those living alone. Her passing, which occurred after she fell several stories from her balcony at the Ruey Anna apartment complex, left friends and neighbors shaken.
Those closest to Coleen, such as Good Samaritan Center Executive Director Sara Noblet and Senior Care and Services Advocate Andi Hatheway-Schiller, say she defied expectations at every turn with her authentic self and way of life.
Sara described Coleen as a petite woman with an enormous presence. For six years, she served the center as a receptionist before transitioning to a position at the thrift store.
“She was the light of the building,” Sara said. “She owned the room when she walked in, not intentionally. It was just who she was.”
Coleen was always well-dressed and accessorized, never afraid to show affection to those around her. A proud supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs, she left every day with a hug or a lipstick smack on the cheek, “whether you wanted it or not,” Sara recalled with a smile.
At the thrift store, Coleen spent her days sorting jewelry and clothing, but her impact went far beyond her job. “The Good Samaritan Center was her family,” Andi said.
Andi fondly remembered Coleen sharing stories of her adventurous life and her determination to return to work after knee and hip replacements. Even during recovery, her spirit remained undimmed, especially at one particular event that meant the world to her.
In May 2024, Coleen attended Excelsior Springs’ first-ever Silver Prom, held at the high school. According to Andi, it was the first prom Coleen had ever attended. “She felt like Cinderella,” Andi said. “She zipped herself into her dress, and it looked like couture; it was made for her.”
That night, Coleen danced with joy, embracing the moment and fulfilling a lifelong dream.
But behind Coleen’s vibrant personality, she was quietly fighting battles with her mental health.
Sara shared that Coleen had struggled with mental illness since the age of 11. Throughout her life, she managed these challenges with the help of physicians and medication. “Even in her darkest times, she still wanted to make everybody smile,” Sara said. “But when she felt worthless, helpless, and at her lowest, she knew people here would try to build her up.”
Just days before her death, Coleen came to the center seeking support. But something had changed.
“She didn’t have her hair done. She didn’t have her lashes on. She was just bare. She did not look like Coleen,” Sara recalled. “Her eyes were as black as a computer screen; it was scary.”
When Coleen began to speak, she described her world as spinning out of control. She feared no one would listen or help her, and she felt utterly alone in her pain.
Though the team at GSC rallied around her, Coleen was gone less than a week later.
Her death is a painful reminder to check in on loved ones, especially those who may be silently struggling.
According to Senior Life Solutions, mental health issues affect millions each year, but stigma and discrimination often prevent people from seeking help. Senior Life Solutions and Excelsior Springs Hospital are working to break the silence and encourage open conversations about mental health.
For those dealing with isolation or mental health challenges, the organization offers these steps to help shift the narrative:
- Education: Understanding mental health conditions, symptoms, and treatment helps dispel myths and reduce stigma. Learning is the first step toward empathy.
- Conversation: Opening up supportive discussions with friends, family, and colleagues can normalize mental health experiences and create safe spaces for healing.
- Storytelling: Sharing personal experiences can inspire others to seek help and remind them that they are not alone.
As for Coleen, her spirit lives on. Behind every hug and every lipstick-smudged cheek was a woman who carried deep pain, but also deep love for her community. While her struggle remained hidden to many, her light and legacy will never fade. Coleen will be remembered as someone who gave freely of herself and left behind a lasting impression on everyone she touched.
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