Colleen Howe - "Mrs. Hockey"
I know this is a high school sports forum, but I need to say a few words about the first real "Hockey Mom" Colleen Howe, wife of Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. Two of her three sons Marty and Mark Howe, both played in the NHL with dad Gordie late in Gordie's career in the WHA, and are still involved in hockey today.
I actually spent about 30 minutes with the Howe family back in 2000. During the 2000 IHL Turner Cup Finals, Gordie and Colleen were in Grand Rapids to attend the hockey game to watch and support their son Marty who was an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves. Before the game I had dinner at the TGI-Friday's next to Van Andel Arena, I sat in a booth ordering my burger and a few minutes later Gordie and Colleen were in the booth right next to me, needless to say I was less concerned with the hamburger I got than with the new neighbors that had sat down. I was wearing my Griffins jersey and just getting ready to chow into my meal when half of the restaurant formed a human wall around my table to do the standard "Hero worship" of Gordie. You know, the autographs of everything from napkins, T-shirts, jersey, and the numerous "can I have my picture with yous"
You could tell Colleen really didn't appreciate her dinner being interrupted by the groups of fans wanting a moment with their hero. Colleen proceed to order her dinner despite the mob around the table. After a few minutes, the gathering had been forced to return to their seats by the management. I continued with my burger which was a little cold after watching the events behind me, the waiter brought the burger back to the kitchen to warm it up a little, Gordie and Colleen both turned around and actually apologized for the ruckus that caused my burger to cool. I said it wasn't a problem, they didn't get the thing right in the first place and shared a brief chuckle before the burger returned from the microwave. He asked me if I was going to the game, I said I was and that I drove from St. Joe to get there. They told me that on their way from Chicago they actually stopped in St. Joe to eat.
I got up and left a few minutes later to enter the arena, they were still eating. Now I am one of those folks that likes to be the first in the arena when the gates open. I got to my seats and just a few rows ahead of me walk in Gordie and Colleen, so not only do I run in to Gordie at Friday's but he's standing a few rows ahead of me by the bench talking to his son Marty the assistant coach. After a few minutes he started walking back up the walkway and asked if I was following him, I replied something along the lines like I was here first, I think you were following me. A few more chuckles later and I took off my jacket and he just asked me what I thought of the the playoffs, about the game, and I talked a little hockey with him.
During the brief 30 minutes I had spent with Gordie and Colleen, I never once asked for an autograph, never once asked for a photo, or something else of Gordie. I just was happy with actually talking to the NHL's greatest player ever and his wife, who consistently tried to shield Gordie from a lot of the fans. She never did with me, I just sat and talked to them. Not asking for the autographs or the photos. I didn't bring up those glory days with the Wings. I just talked to him and Colleen about their trip through St. Joe, the trip to Grand Rapids, and the upcoming game. That's all I really wanted. A chance to just talk with Gordie, something I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Colleen Howe passed away on Friday at the age of 76 with complications from Pick's disease which is a neurological condition that causes dementia.
