WILMINGTON — Colleen Bastiani, 36, passed away on June 26, 2026. Born on March 17, 1990, Colleen lived a life defined by compassion, faith, creativity, and service to others.
She is survived by her loving mother, Elizabeth Bastiani; her father, Gary Bastiani; and her younger sister, Ashley Bastiani, all of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina.
Colleen was raised in the Catholic faith and remained a devoted Catholic throughout her life. Her faith was a constant source of strength and guided the kindness, generosity, and love she shared with everyone she met.
Colleen graduated from Cape Fear Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2015. She began her career as a Registered Nurse on the Progressive Care Unit at Grand Strand Medical Center before joining the Progressive Care Unit at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in 2016, where she faithfully served her patients for the remainder of her nursing career.
While working full-time and caring for critically ill patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Colleen earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in July 2020. She later completed her Master of Science in Nursing Education from UNC-Wilmington in May 2022 and returned to Cape Fear Community College as a nursing faculty member, where she spent the last three years helping educate and inspire the next generation of nurses.
Colleen was deeply dedicated to her patients and was equally devoted to her students, investing wholeheartedly in their growth, confidence, and success. She was a mentor, advocate, and role model whose compassion and encouragement left a lasting impact on countless lives.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Colleen’s greatest gift was the love she gave to her family and the friends she held close. She had an incredibly kind heart, an unforgettable sense of humor, and a joyful spirit that brightened every room she entered. She was a truly gifted artist who loved painting, sketching, and exploring creativity through any medium she could find. She also enjoyed traveling to new countries, experiencing different cultures and foods, and creating lasting memories with the people she loved.
Though her life was far too short, Colleen’s legacy lives on in the many lives she touched through her compassion, her faith, her teaching, and her unwavering love for others. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary in Wilmington on Tuesday, July 14,2026 at 1:30pm.
