VERA MARGARET COLLYER (ALLEN)

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VERA MARGARET COLLYER (nee ALLEN) October 11, 1917 - February 6, 2006 In the 89th year of her most accomplished life, our precious mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away quietly on Monday, February 6, 2006 at Victoria General Hospital. Vera was predeceased by her parents John and Charlotte Allen, her beloved husband Leigh of 68 years, sisters-in-law, Ethel and Jacqueline and two of her beloved four sons, her eldest son Glenn in 1953 and her youngest son Ronald in 2003. Left with many loving memories of Vera are her brothers, Harry and James; sons, Raymond (Sharon) and Terrence (Francine); her four grandchildren, Cynthia (Paul Whelan), Leigh Jr. (Raschell), Kimberley (James Siemens) and Darren, as well as her eight great-grandchildren, Sinead, Carmen, Garrison, Elyse, Nicholas, Ambroise, Chloe and Dominic. Aunt Vera will also be fondly remembered by nieces, Joan Allen and Sandra Allen-Forsyth, as well as nephews, Murray Allen, Kenneth Allen and Dr. Robert Allen. Born, raised and educated in Winnipeg, and renown for her blithe spirit and boundless energy, Vera experienced her most impressionable formative years during the Great Depression when, like so many others, her family struggled to make ends meet. Still, despite the many adversities she and her family faced during those difficult times, young Vera was always able to assert an active presence in her community...most notably as an avid skater, as a perennial participant in women's organized baseball and as an enduring member of her church and C.G.I.T. And Vera was especially giving of herself, particularly towards her family. Indeed, the hallmarks of Vera's personality were her unwavering kindness and selfless dedication to the needs of others, distinguishing characteristics that would accompany her long, eventful life. In 1937 when Vera was barely 20 years old she married her neighborhood sweetheart, a bright, ambitious young fellow named Montague Leigh Collyer. It was a union that would span almost seven decades, produce four sons and engage the family in a cross-Canada odyssey of several career moves. Beginning in 1942, Vera and Leigh would move from Winnipeg to London, ON, then back to Winnipeg, then to Calgary, AB, Edmonton, AB, Oakville, ON, and then back to Winnipeg in 1960. Over the course of those 18 years and throughout each and every move, Vera remained the quintessential wife, mother and homemaker. Nobody assisted or took better care of her husband, or exhibited more zeal and dedication in raising her four boys, or managed the house better. That was just Vera! She could cover more ground than the rest of the family put together. She kept the house so clean that you always had the impression company was coming. And company often did come because few others cooked or baked better than Vera, or for that matter, hosted more elegant dinners. But Vera's talents went well beyond the confines of maintaining an elegant household. She played the piano beautifully, and often did so to relax after dinner. And she almost always had an ongoing project in needlepoint, sewing or knitting; in fact several of Vera's most beautiful needlepoint pieces still remain in the family's possession. But perhaps the best example of her diligence and hard work, if not dogged persistence, was her continuing effort to study and learn accounting, which she did over many years while raising her family. Her efforts were not to be in vein! When Vera and Leigh returned to Winnipeg from Oakville, ON in 1960, they established Winnipeg Door Limited, and Vera assumed the position of Financial Officer. It was the very job that she had envisioned herself doing when she was a student. Although Vera maintained a heavy workload with the firm, often working late into the night in her upstairs office, she somehow always found time for outside activities. A member of the St. James YMCA and a frequent visitor to St. James Centennial Pool, it was not uncommon to see Vera swim a full mile at either pool and then on her way home walk the entire periphery of Westwood. Vera also engaged in a variety of voluntary work, but her most satisfying experience in this regard was assisting dyslexic children to improve their reading skills. Apart from helping others, Vera's greatest joy was participating with her children and grandchildren at the family cottage on Lake of the Woods. In her later years after retiring, indeed well into her eighties, Vera continued to be active. At least twice a week she would bowl with a women's bowling league, and equally as often attend the Reh-Fit Centre for her typical one hour workout. Forever maintaining her dignity, when Vera's health eventually began to decline, she simply accepted it as God's will. She will be dearly missed by her family. The family would like to thank Dr. Karen Humphries of Victoria General Hospital for her exceptional care, compassion and counsel. Flowers are gratefully declined and donations may be made to either the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. A public viewing/prayers will be held on Monday, February 13 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Thomson Funeral Home located at 669 Broadway. Following cremation a private family ceremony/interment will take place later at Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2006