The two had four children together and lived happily in Toledo until her death in 2009.
In this April 15, 1953, file photo, Detroit Red Wings' star Gordie Howe, right, marches down the aisle with his new bride Colleen in Detroit. At age 45, the native of Floral, Sask., came out of retirement to play with sons Marty and Mark on the same line."She will be sincerely missed by us and all who knew her."Colleen started Power Play International, which manages her and Gordie's business interests, and has authored three books. They raised nearly $1 million for charities benefiting underprivileged children. It is located in the suburb of St. Clair Shores.Not long after the arena was constructed, she was named Michigan Sportswoman of the Year.Colleen was able to negotiate a four-year, $1.8 million deal to sign all three of them to the team.Gordie Howe receives the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 (Getty) Colleen Howe was the inspiration for the Howe Foundation, begun in her husband's honor in 1993 when he turned 65. "Colleen was a pioneer hockey wife and hockey mom and devoted her entire life to the betterment of the game.The first woman sports agent ever, she was enshrined in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000 and the arena in her hometown of Sandusky, Mich., was renamed Colleen J. Howe Arena.Colleen Howe, wife of hockey legend Gordie Howe, has died, according to a statement released by the Detroit Red Wings.Among other endeavours, Colleen owned a travel company, an Amway marketing business and a management consulting company. Mom said, 'Gordie's not going anywhere unless he gets paid.' She stood her ground because that's how he made his living."The Red Wings said Howe died at the Bloomfield Hills, Mich., house the couple shared.The couple had two other children — son Murray and daughter Cathy. They're not whacking each other over the head."Born Colleen Joffa, she married Howe, who played 25 seasons with the Red Wings, after a two-year courtship in 1953. With Gordie's age a symbol, they visited 65 schools in 65 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
Marty Howe said it was extremely difficult on the entire family.She worked to trademark the terms “Mr. Hockey” and “Mrs. Hockey” and always ensured her husband was paid a fair rate.
Colleen Howe, the wife of hockey great Gordie Howe and one of the first female sports agents, died Friday, March 6, 2009.
She was nicknamed “Mrs. She had been suffering from Pick's disease, which causes dementia and is similar to Alzheimer's disease, since 2002.Mrs. (Getty)After her death in 2009, the Gordie and Colleen Fund for Dementia Research was launched.Marty Howe also said that Colleen was brilliant and a huge workaholic.Here’s everything you need to know about Colleen Howe, Gordie’s wife.Colleen was quite involved in her husband’s career, managing his business interests and really becoming the first female sports agent.His wife was Colleen Howe, whom he married in 1953.
Marty and Mark Howe followed their father into the NHL.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement.As well, she founded the Detroit Junior Red Wings, the first Junior A team in the United States, and was involved in developing the first Gordie Howe Hockeyland arena in Michigan."We extend our deepest condolences to Gordie, Mark, Marty, Cathy, Murray and the entire Howe family," Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch said in a statement. "Well, after he retired, the NHL wanted him to go everywhere for nothing.