Mildred Collins
Marriages
Lawrence Collins
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6 B Death Notice - March 22, 2013
Mildred Collins, 100, Grand Junction, died March 18, 2013, at
Mesa Manor.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church.
Ms. Collins was a homemaker.
Survivors include one son, Melvin of Midland, Mich.; one daughter,
Phyllis Buckley of Grand Junction; eight grandchildren; and 14
great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to First Christian Church, 1326 N. First
St., Grand Junction 81501 or Hospice & Palliative Care of Western
Colorado, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - March 21, 2013
Mildred Collins, 100, joined her
Savior and Lord on March 18,
2013, while at Mesa Manor.
She was born in Woodward
County, Oklahoma, on July 24,
1 9 1 2 , t o C h a r l e s a n d E s t h e r
P e a c h . T h e f a m i l y m o v e d t o
Grand Junction in 1918, where
Mildred survived both smallpox
and the flu epidemic of 1918.
As a high school student at Fruitvale, she excelled academically,
winning county and state awards in spelling, Latin, and Algebra, and
sang lead parts in several operettas. She also experienced adventures
like climbing to the top of Independence Rock with her
brother, John Peach and some classmates. She graduated as valedictorian
of her high school class in 1930, and attended Mesa Junior
College for a year before marrying her high school sweetheart,
Lawrence Collins. He preceded her in death in 1987.
Her work experience included working as a fruit packer in Palisade,
as a clerk at Woolworth's in the 1930's, as an Avon representative
in the 1940's and 1950's, and as a bookkeeper for the Grand
Junction City Credit Union. She also worked from home as part of
Collins Candy Company, making wedding cakes for many brides in
this area. She was a founding member of the Fruitvale Mothers'
Club, helping to begin the hot lunch program in the Grand Valley.
Her membership at First Christian Church began at age 16 and continued
all her life, as she served in many positions, including deaconess
and elder. She was also the church librarian. Her active involvement
in the Rebekah lodge spanned several decades.
Mildred has enjoyed several special trips to Hawaii, to Europe with
four of her grandchildren, and to Disney World where she had her
picture taken with Mickey Mouse. She went on a hot air balloon ride
when she was 86. She loved to watch the Broncos and the Rockies.
She taught herself to knit and crochet, producing many sweaters and
other items for her family. Mildred also loved singing, and was a
part of the church choir for most of her life. She and her sister,
Fanny sang duets for programs through the church as well. She
wrote poetry and helped her children through English classes with
her knowledge of grammar and writing. She had learned Chaucer's
Canterbury Tales in the original old English and could recite it even
in her 90’s.
She is survived by a son, Melvin (Nadine) and a daughter, Phyllis
Buckley; eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by an infant daughter and four siblings.
Cremation has already taken place. A memorial service of remembrance
will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2013, at The
First Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian
Church, 1326 N. 1st Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 or Hospice
and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090B N.12th, Grand
Junction, CO 81506. Friends and family may leave their condolences
at www.martinmortuary.com.
