Colette Elizabeth Theresa Bernadette Podesta Winterburn Shepard

Colette was born Colette Elizabeth Theresa Podesta on April 24, 1948, in Liverpool, England. She is survived by her wife Ellen (Ellie) of 40 years. Her parents were Mary Doyle and Paul Podesta. Colette was the youngest of six. Her surviving siblings are Victor and Joe, who still live in the family home. Her other siblings were Maria, Tony, and Madeline. Theirs was a very close and loving family. Many years later Colly discovered she had a half-sister Angela, only 6 weeks older than she. They became very close … they called themselves “The Twins.”

Colette, called Colly by her family and friends, was a teenager of the ’60s. Liverpool was the center of rock ’n’ roll, and she thrived on all the music.

Her dream was always to move to America. She loved the Hollywood movies ... she wanted to live the LA life. Her brother Tony and two sisters, Maria and Madeline, had already emigrated to America.

Colette finally settled in Santa Monica, California and pursued her passion for photography, taking four years of classes at Santa Monica City College, where they were well known for their photography major.

It wasn’t long after that that Colly met Ellen, Ellie, through their dear friend Ivy. They were together for 40 years, making a life’s commitment to each other on August 4, 1986 and finally tying the matrimonial knot in New York City on August 5, 2011, their 25th anniversary. Every day they said, “I love you” to each other. They never took their relationship for granted, they cherished every year, every decade together.

They were a gay couple and their love was always out in the open. They were happy, they were proud, and they wanted to share that with their family and friends. Sometimes they were shunned ... but their relationship survived and thrived.

In 1995, after the 6.9 earthquake in Los Angeles, they relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Colly could easily make friends wherever she went. She used her photography skills to become a wedding photographer.

Her favorite book was West With The Night, favorite movie was “Out of Africa”, favorite food was anything chocolate, and she cherished her time with family and friends.

They lived to travel, from England, to Paris, to Switzerland, Australia, Egypt … and cruises … they loved taking cruises around the Caribbean. They loved sharing everything together. And THE HAT … Colette was known all over Raleigh as the lady in the hat. After purchasing the brightly colored Peruvian hat in New York City, she wore it in almost every season. Strangers would stop her wherever they went. Everyone loved the lady in the hat.

Colette and Ellen decided to join Temple Beth Or to find community for the both of them; they were embraced by the Jewish community.

After losing two of her siblings, Tony and Madeline, to Alzheimer’s, Colly was diagnosed with the same disease in 2020.

Colette and Ellen lived for each other. She will be missed by those who were lucky enough to know her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colette’s name to Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

A Service will be held at Temple Beth Or, 5315 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC, on October 1st, at 9:30am. All religions are welcome.