page_title: Colleen Howe
section_title: Family life
hierarchical_section_title: Colleen Howe / Family life
caption_attribution_description: English: Gordie Howe relaxing at Gordie Howe Hockeyland in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
context_page_description: Colleen Janet Joffa Howe was a sports agent who founded Power Play International and Power Play Publications to manage the business interests of her husband, Hall of Fame hockey player Gordie Howe, as well as those of their sons Marty and Mark. She was married to Gordie for 55 years, until her death. As a civic leader, she brought the first Junior A hockey team to the United States, built the first indoor rink for public use in Michigan, and ran for Congress. In 2000, as "Mrs. Hockey", Howe received the Wayne Gretzky International Award, presented to individuals "who have made major contributions to the growth and advancement of hockey in the United States"—from the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, along with her husband and their two sons Mark and Marty.
context_section_description: Colleen Howe was born as Colleen Joffa, an only child, in Sandusky, Michigan. Following her parents' divorce, her mother, along with an aunt and uncle, were responsible for her upbringing. Eventually  her mother remarried. During the 1951–52 NHL season (some sources say in 1950), Colleen met her future husband, Gordie Howe, at a Detroit bowling alley, Lucky Strike Lanes, when Gordie was playing for the Detroit Red Wings. They later married on April 15, 1953. Gordie Howe is considered one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.
  The Howes had four children: Marty, Mark, Murray, and Cathy. Mark Howe started his professional hockey career at the age of 18 in the WHA and went on to become a Hall of Fame defenseman in the NHL; he is currently a pro scout for the Detroit Red Wings. Marty Howe played initially for the WHA at 19; he later changed careers and became a home builder and designer. Murray studied medicine and is currently a doctor.
caption: Colleen's husband, Gordie Howe, circa 1966.
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