Colleen Mary Whilldin

Colleen Mary Whilldin, 61, of Beaufort, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026, after a long fought battle with cancer.

A funeral mass will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, February 6th at St. Egbert Catholic Church with Rev. Ryszard Kolodziej presiding. Followed by a procession to the Columbarium with the urn. In accordance with Colleen’s wishes, attendees are asked not to wear black. Comfortable shoes are encouraged, as a walk around the school will follow the service.

The family will receive friends the evening prior from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 5th at Munden Funeral Home. A Rosary service will take place at 7 p.m., followed by a time of sharing and visitation.

Born on August 16, 1964, in Audubon, New Jersey, to Dolores and James Whilldin, Colleen was the oldest of three children. She graduated from Audubon High School in 1982 where she was a three-sport standout in field hockey, basketball, and played on the boys golf team 5 straight years. Colleen earned a golf scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she received her Physical Education teaching degree in 1988. In 2003, Colleen earned her Master of Education degree from East Carolina University.

Colleen knew that teaching was her passion and calling from God. For over 37 years, that dedication to children showed in the many accolades she received throughout her career.

Colleen was nominated as Carteret County Teacher of the year four times and in 2025 was a finalist for the prestigious Monsignor Gerald Lewis Award for teaching Excellence in the Diocese of Raleigh representing St. Egbert Catholic School.

Immediately after retiring from Carteret County Schools in 2019, Colleen was blessed and honored to teach at St. Egbert Catholic School teaching Physical Education and Religion. Just as in her previous schools, Colleen immersed herself into the very faithful fabric of the school and church community. Everyday you felt Colleen’s energy and enthusiasm from the halls of St. Egbert to the hugs and smiles she gave at the crosswalk every morning to students and parents as they entered the building. Her inspiring messages on the daily morning announcements will always echo in the classroom such as “Be love today,” It’s a blessing to be a blessing’” and always ending with “Do great things today St. Egbert!” to get the students pumped up for the day.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her brother, Brian Whilldin and his wife Amy of Cherry Hill, NJ and Phillip Whilldin of Audubon, NJ; and her mother, Dolores Margaret Whilldin of Audubon, NJ.

Colleen was preceded in death by her father, James Whilldin; paternal grandparents, Howard and Florence Whilldin; and maternal grandparents, Patrick and Margaret Corbett.

Colleen was profoundly thankful for the compassion, care, and love shown to her by her doctors: Sarah Carroll, Jennifer Aron, Lindsey Buckingham, and Linda VanLe. She wanted to express how much she loved them and to remind them that they will always have an angel watching over them from heaven.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, Colleen requested that memorial contributions be made to St. Egbert Catholic School, 1705 Evans St., Morehead City, NC 28557 or the Crystal Coast Cancer Rehabilitation Center, 4913 Bridges St., Ext. Bldg. B, Ste. 101, Morehead City, NC 28557.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.