Colleen Groce

Dr. Mary "Colleen" Groce, of Pharmacology and our beloved mother, left this earthly home on November 8, 2018 to be with our Lord and Savior. Colleen was born December 23, 1928 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Harry and Dorothy Paulsen Swart. She was the fourth child and had two brothers, H. J. Swart and Richard Swart and one sister Kathleen Fry. She lived longer than either of her parents or her siblings, she was 89 years old. She really wanted to try and make 90 years old but God already had a plan for her.

Dr. Colleen Groce attended OU College of Pharmacy in Norman, OK and met the love of her life, Frank M. Groce, Geologist. The happy couple married September 1, 1951. Their marriage lasted 57 years until Frank's Passing in July 2008; out of the union they had two children.

Frank and Colleen lived the first couple of years traveling to Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas on the hunt for oil. Colleen's first job was working as a pharmacist in a small hospital in Perryton, TX. Once the couple decided to settle in Borger, TX they built their first and only home of 62 years.

Because of Frank's profession, he traveled a lot, while Colleen stayed home and raised their family. When the children became old enough to take care of themselves, she could pursue her dream of opening "Colleen's Pharmacy" in Borger, across from the old Golden Plains Hospital. Her pharmacy stayed open for 15 years and then she became a relief pharmacist which means she relieved pharmacists who wanted to take off on vacation or just to get away for a few days. She helped pharmacies all over the Panhandle until her retirement. Our mother would often comment, "I have had a beautiful life, I have no complaints. The Lord has been good to me." Colleen and Frank continued to be strong supporters of the Borger community and of their church family at Trinity Lutheran. The would often travel with family or on their own.

She is survived by her son Henry and his wife Janice Groce of Borger and her daughter Fran Kirkpatrick of Mogodore, Ohio, four grandchildren; Sean Kirkpatrick, Trisha Kirkpatrick, Justin Groce and Heather Groce and one great granddaughter Payton Steward.

There will be no service for Colleen. Our mother would like for all her friends, customers and family just to remember as she was. Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger are taking care of the cremation.

The family asks that if you are considering sending flowers or whatever, please save your money and if you want to do something for our mother, donate to your favorite charity or any medical school or university of your choice.

Henry and Janice Groce would like to say thank you to our mother's team at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo and BSA Hospice of the Southwest in Borger. Ladies and Gentlemen you were awesome.