Nora Colleen Scott

Eight is enough is what she always said when anyone asked about her children, and she also thought living eight decades would be her limit, but Nora Colleen Christensen Scott celebrated 91 birthdays before being peacefully called away into her eternal home on Friday, September 5, 2025, to be forever with the Lord. 

Visitation will be on Friday, September 12 from 6-8pm at Deer Park Funeral Home, 336 E. San Augustine in Deer Park, Texas, followed by a graveside burial service on Saturday, September 13 at 10am at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7801 Gulf Freeway in Dickinson, Texas. Deacon Charles from St. Hyacinth Catholic Church and son-in-law Mark Berkley will be officiating.

The only daughter and youngest of three children, Colleen was born on July 2, 1934, in Scobey, Montana, located in the northeast corner of the state, just a few miles from the Canadian border. Her parents Frank and Thecla Christensen were both from North Dakota but relocated to Scobey in the early 1930s when the railroad made its way north during the wheat farming boom.

Colleen, also known as Chrissy, once she started school, was Daddy’s little girl, and as a young child, she sang and tap danced for his approval and also into the hearts of audiences at various fairs and festivals. Her musical talents continued into her teen years as she performed in the high school choir and as a percussionist in the concert band.  At the local football games and town parades, she led the marching band as a drum majorette, delighting spectators with her baton twirling skills. She earned numerous badges as a member of the local Girl Scout Troop, including The Curved Bar, the highest leadership award available at the time, and she was an active member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Scobey. 

Before graduating from Scobey High School, her father passed away and Colleen was encouraged to make use of a scholarship to Carroll College, her oldest brother’s Alma Mater in Helena, Montana. She was one of only a handful of women students. However, the school didn’t quite suit her so midway through her education, she transferred to the College of Great Falls to complete her bachelor’s degree in secretarial science.  It was there she was set up on a blind date with a young airman stationed at nearby Malmstrom Air Force Base. Friends introduced him only as Scott, and many weeks went by before she learned his name was actually Robert Scott, but he told her Bob would do just fine.  A couple of months later, Bob asked her to proofread a letter he had written to his mother and when she came to the part about buying a ring for Colleen, he proposed and she said yes. They were married in Scobey at St. Philip’s Catholic Church on October 22, 1955, a very cold and snowy day.

Bob and Colleen’s first child arrived within a year while still stationed in Montana. Over the next twelve years, seven more children were added to the family, the eighth being born in Scobey while Bob was on a yearlong overseas tour of duty. Life as a military wife wasn’t always easy. Making do, stretching a meal, and sewing clothing for herself and her children were some of the ways Colleen cared for her family. Koolaid was always available, and she baked endless batches of cookies. Birthdays were made extra special with her decorated cakes. Honesty, responsibility, resourcefulness and integrity were values she instilled in her children, and she taught them to look after each other.  Resiliency was one of her strengths and she became a pro at packing and unpacking a house full of furnishings due to military transfers every year or two. A tidy, uncluttered home with everything in its place was always important to her. 

Retirement from the Air Force in 1975 meant a career change for Bob and another move to Deer Park, Texas. As the eldest children grew and left home, Colleen was finally able to begin her career at the University of Houston, also where Bob was employed. She worked in the law center.  Several years later as empty nesters, they built a home in the historic district of League City, Texas, where Colleen dabbled in painting, enjoyed gardening and crafting, and joined the local Historical Society, opening her home during the holidays as a stop on the home tour. She was also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

After spending their early retirement years in League City, Bob and Colleen desired to be closer to family in Baytown, so they downsized in 2010 to apartment life. Five years later, Colleen said good-bye to the love of her life just a few months short of their 60th wedding anniversary, and soon after became a resident of a senior community in Deer Park. She also transferred her membership back to St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, attending most every Sunday as faith was always an integral part of her life. 

During the height of Covid in 2020, she returned to Baytown to live next door to one of her daughters where she was lovingly cared for by family for nearly four years. She would enjoy sharing memories of times past with anyone who would care to listen and preferred the conversations be mostly about her.  As her physical abilities began to decline, she continued to occupy her time with TV game shows, computer card games and crossword puzzles which went with her nearly everywhere. She especially enjoyed watching the birds. IHop became her go-to place and there were countless trips to Buccees to grab a cup of coffee, her favorite beverage, which she sipped in the front seat of her car while people watching, working crosswords, and of course having a smoke.

In February of 2024, Magnolia Trails at The Waterford Baytown became her last earthly residence. There she became known as that determined, feisty, sassy and nosy lady who knew how to shake that finger to get what she wanted, and sometimes others just had to laugh at what came out of her mouth. For those familiar with the Maxine cartoons, pretty sure the artist created her after meeting Mom. In spite of her quirks, many of the staff grew quite fond of her, and over time, she developed more patience and grace, becoming content with life’s circumstances and touching the lives of many while in facility care. She was also known as the lady with all those daughters - daughters who reminded their mother often how blessed she was, even if she didn’t see it herself. God knew way ahead of time that she would need those seven daughters to all pitch in and look after her.

Colleen’s earthly journey has come to an end, but her story will live on in the Scott Family Clan consisting of currently 68 members. What a legacy! If asked what she thought about her life turning out as it did, Colleen might have jokingly replied, “It’s all Bob’s fault.” She is so loved and will be missed by many.

Nora Colleen Christensen Scott is preceded in death by her parents Frank Hjlmar and Thecla Nora (Brown) Christensen, her two older brothers, Dean Francis and Donald Glenn and his wife, Rita. She is also preceded by husband Robert Anthony Scott; son, Stephen Anthony Scott; and son-in-law John Anthony Stegemann.

Colleen is survived by her seven daughters: Susan Noreen and husband Roger Burgett of Venice, Florida, Julia Gail and husband Edwin Malish of Groveton, Texas, Vanessa Jean and husband Leroy Grigar of Baytown, Texas, Jennifer Kay and husband Alan Littlefield of Baytown, Texas, Elizabeth Tereasa (Tracey) and husband Guy Gray of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Sharon Reneé and husband Mark Berkley of Pasadena, Texas, Paula Michelle and husband Lee Salter of LaPorte, Texas, and daughter-in-law, Maria (Tere) Scott, widow of son, Stephen. She leaves behind 20 grandchildren, along with their significant others, Joshua Burgett, Stephanie Burgett Dennis and husband Tim, Marleen Malish, Anthony Malish, Mindy Smith May and husband Shane, Nicholas Smith, Cassidy Smith Johnson and husband Joshua, Stacey Grigar and husband Dan Brewer, Nicholas Grigar and wife Miranda, Alana Littlefield Redepenning, Perry Littlefield, Nelson Littlefield and wife Rebecca, Joseph Scott, Michael Scott, Karissa Berkley, Kaylee Berkley Martinez and husband Moises, Jonathan Stegemann, Alyssa Stegemann and partner Tyler Wingate, Jake Thorn, Jordan Thorn. Also 20 great-grandchildren including: Jackson Burgett, Cheyenne Dennis, Kolton Dennis, Liam Clevenger, Ryleigh Cox Fuentes and husband Noé, Zachary May and fiancée Taylor Ash, Aithyn Smith, Landyn Smith, Makynna Smith, Harrison May, Caden Brewer, Caleb Brewer, Oliver Grigar, Elton Grigar, Texas Littlefield, Quinn Littlefield, Morgan Littlefield, Loreli Stegemann, Zoe Wingate, Mila Thorn, and one great-great-grandson, Cristiano Fuentes.

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