Janet (Smith) Collins
Marriages
Jay Collins - 1967
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B - February 8, 2013
Janet Collins passed away February
5, 2013, at her home surrounded
by family and friends.
She was a Wife, Mother, Grandmother,
Aunt. Sister, and a Friend
to many in her community.
She was born May 13, 1936, in
Chicago, Illinois, to William and
Rose Smith and was the second
daughter of the Smith family. She
was an active participant in Church activities from a young age and
as she grew to be a young lady, she became a member of the Church
Choir and often referred to that as being a peaceful time in he r life.
She was gifted with athletic ability and could always be found at the
park participating in athletic events. It is said that as a gym nast, she
often made her mother breathe deep and close her eyes as she pa rticipated
in the events. Bowling was her forte as she grew olde r and
her many friends vied to have her become a member of their team.
She attended schools in Chicago graduating from Bowen High
School and South Chicago Nursing School. After graduating from
Nursing School she became a Pediatric Nurse and pursued that field
until 1967, when she married Jay Collins. She continued her str ong
interest in Nursing and when a job transfer took the family to Salinas,
California, she became a Volunteer at Salinas Valley Memorial
Hospital.
She was a spirited lady with a warm personality that would light up
a room upon her entrance. Her wit and demeanor fostered laughte r
and easy conversation. She never met a stranger and her sense o f
humor gained her many friends. Janet was greatly admired by her
family as being a caring person with strong faith and convictio ns.
She was a member of many community churches during her married
lifetime of adjusting to new locations. Moving was always a
challenge but she would sigh, raise her eyebrows and just throw it
off as just a new experience. Her latest Church Home became the
First Methodist Church in Grand Junction.
She was the proud mother of three sons, John, Patrick, and To dd.
Baby Patrick lived only a short time and is remembered as her Baby
Angel. Janet is survived by her husband, Jay; son, John and his wife,
Jeannie, and son Todd who all reside in California. Her grandso n,
Alan, who lives in California, was always her little buddy, hel per
with cookie craft, and her shining star. Her sister, Joanne, li ves in
Grand Junction and together they shared great pride in their Swe dish
ancestry and customs. Her favorite time was morning as she
went through her longtime routine of opening the drapes and
checking the street, tuning in the Weather Channel, and enjoying her
cup of strong coffee and Swedish Coffee Cake.
As she enjoyed her journey through life the outlet she looked forward
to most in later years was her weekly visit to the salon a nd a
visit with April and the ladies. Her passing leaves a great voi d and
she will be greatly missed, however, her easy laughter and crys tal
blue eyes will live on forever. Rest in Peace Dear Jan.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Februa ry
11, 2013, at The First Methodist Church, 522 White Avenue, Grand
Junction with the Reverend Blaine Scott officiating. Friends an d
family may leave their condolences at www.martinmortuary.com.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B Death Notice - February 9, 2013
Janet Collins, 76, Grand Junction, died Feb. 5, 2013, at her
home.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist
Church.
Mrs. Collins was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Jay; two sons, John of Davis, Calif.,
and Todd of Paso Robles, Calif.; one sister, Joanne Harmon of
Grand Junction; and one grandchild.
