Lake County responds to sudden passing of Coach Lauren "Lulu" Colas
At the beginning of the year, Principal Kacy Wolfe of Eustis Elementary had each staff member pick out adjectives to describe themselves for a SHINE acrostic poem.
PE teacher Coach Lauren "Lulu" Colas had written "Strategic, Hard working, Intentional, Never Gives Up, Enthusiastic."
Judging by the outpour of support from the community as she struggled with a sudden medical emergency, Coach Lulu did indeed shine and lived up to every word in that acrostic.
Principal Wolfe posted Ms. Colas' acrostic on Facebook after learning that the beloved educator and coach had died of an undisclosed illness on March 1.
"Coach Colas was everything in her poem and more," her post on Eustis Heights Elementary School's Facebook page said. "We are so thankful for the six years we had her on our campus, for all that she taught our students, and for the camaraderie she gave us as a staff. Coach Colas let her light shine, not only on our campus, but across our community. Hers is a light that will continue shining on and on."
Lauren Louise Boyd Colas, 41, of Eustis, died surrounded by her family after a sudden onset of severe health symptoms. She was treated at AdventHealth Waterman, and her family has expressed gratitude for the treatment she received at the Tavares hospital.
When nurses and doctors were helping Coach Lulu in her final fight, friends and loved ones gathered support for Ms. Colas and her family through a GoFundMe campaign.
An obituary written for her describes Ms. Colas as a "Godly woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, coach and friend."
Born in Leesburg on June 11, 1982, Coach Lulu was a 2001 graduate of Mount Dora Christian Academy, formerly known as Christian Home and Bible School in Mount Dora, where she earned many honors: All-State in volleyball, basketball and softball, Miss CH&BS and homecoming queen.
She earned a scholarship to play basketball at Seminole State College in Lake Mary before she transferred to the University of Central Florida in Orlando and majored in social work. She had also taught at Treadway Elementary in Leesburg.
"Her four children were loved unconditionally, and are her greatest achievements," the tribute continued.
Along with her job as a physical education teacher at Eustis Heights Elementary, Colas coached Lake County Tigers 12u Colas, a 12-and-under softball team.
"Coach Lulu has poured so much dedication, passion, and wisdom into the softball community and beyond," a post on the team's Facebook page said. "Your impact is felt far and wide."
The beloved coach and educator is survived by her husband of 14 years, Stive; children Skylar, Jaylen, Kylee and Lennox; mother, Adrian Boyd-Bradley; stepfather, Dr. Barry Bradley; brother, Chad; step-sisters, Heather Bradley, Amity Bittinger and Kirby Bradford; along with "aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins who had a special place in her heart."
"The family would like to thank Eustis Heights Elementary faculty and staff for the outpouring of love and support," her obituary added.
A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church, 550 Hatfield Drive, Umatilla, on Saturday, March 9. The family will receive friends at the church before the service from 3 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the TeamColas Scholarship Fund at Insight Financial or to the charity of your choice in Lauren’s name. An online Guestbook can be accessed at hardenpauli.com
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Coach Lauren 'Lulu' Colas died March 1, a guiding light to many
