For over 35 years, as a dedicated and loyal member of the Al Piemonte Ford family, Colleen Schober grew to become an indispensable part of our dealership and a refreshing part of our lives. As a member of our Fleet Department, Colleen’s substantial wealth of knowledge made her instrumental in building and maintaining a top-notch organization, one of the most respected and sophisticated fleet sales leaders in the industry.

Her direct approach and biting candor combined to mask and shield a soft and spiritual heart, to which she rarely and selectively allowed access. Unafraid to express exactly what was on her mind, she gained the everlasting respect of friends, associates, and enemies alike. Love always speaks the truth, and Colleen would always tell you the truth, even when it hurt—a vital characteristic rarely found in society today. She knew that indeed “the truth shall set you free,” and as a loyal friend and devoted mother, Colleen shared that tough-love approach with everyone she cared about.

We cannot know God’s plan. We can only know it is not ours. Stricken with this terrible illness less than a year ago, this fiery, spirited, red-headed beauty braved her treatments and fought a terrible disease with all her might, and we all prayed for a recovery that was not to come.

A funeral mass was held on Saturday, February 20, at 11:30 AM, at St. Juliana’s Catholic Church in Chicago. A fund has been set up in Colleen’s name with all proceeds going towards research into a cure for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Donations are being accepted at the following address: