Arlene COLLIER

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COLLIER: Arlene Alice Collier (nee Anderson), the wife of the late Donald Collier, mother of Dale, Bob and Beth, passed away on December 25, 2009 at the Virden & District Hospital. Arlene was born on June 10, 1943 in Russell, Manitoba. She was the youngest daughter of Stewart and Norma Anderson. In 1946, the family moved to the Two Creeks District and it was there that Arlene attended Ross School. In 1959, she married Marshall Mead. They had two boys, Dale and Robert (Bob). After residing in Kamloops, BC for a number of years, Arlene and the two boys returned to Two Creeks. When the Sherwood Nursing Home opened, Arlene worked as an Assistant Cook. On April 8, 1971, she married Don Collier and they had a daughter, Elizabeth (Beth). They raised the three kids on the family farm north of Virden. Arlene and Don farmed together for 30 years until Don’s passing in April 2001. She continued to live on the farm as city life wasn’t for her. Never one to be idle, Arlene was a very active volunteer in the community. Most notably, Arlene was a founding member of the Virden Community Arts Council (VCAC) and the creator of “Costume Closet”. She often referred to Costume Closet as her second home as she worked countless hours and found so much enjoyment there. Her volunteerism also allowed her to travel. As a representative for the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), Arlene traveled to several conventions around the world including one held in The Hague. She even managed to convince Don to accompany her! Some of the organizations that Arlene volunteered with include: Two Creeks Curling Club, Four Corners History Club, Virden Figure Skating, Lenore 4-H Beef Club, Virden Christmas Cheer Board, Wallace United Church, YWCA, Elderly Persons Housing (The Sherwood), Women’s Institute (WI), Bennett Cemetery, Manitoba Oil Museum, VCAC and the Auditorium Theatre Board. One of Arlene’s proudest moments occurred when she received the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award in 1993 for the Costume Closet Project. She was instrumental in turning the derelict C.P. Station into a treasured art gallery, VCAC office and resource centre for the community. Arlene had a tremendous impact on the community and those who knew her. Projects often developed because she was a driving force with a vision. She had a knack for finding the right person for the job and for convincing them to lend their talents. Her enthusiasm, determined personality and endless positive energy made it hard to say no to her. Although Arlene was always busy, family was the priority. She attended countless baseball and hockey games, figure skating practices, school concerts and rodeos. She earned a reputation for always “being there”. In recent years, Arlene was thrilled to have little kids running around the house again. When her first great-granddaughter was born, she jokingly asked to be referred to as “Gramma-the-Great” as the alternative made her sound old! Arlene was predeceased by her husband of 30 years, Donald; her father Stewart Anderson; nephew, Norman Kyle; brothers-in- law, Percy Dayton, Bill Watson and Stan Bray. Left missing and mourning her are her mother, Norma Anderson; sons Dale (Tracy) Mead and Bob (Karen) Mead; daughter Beth Collier; grandsons Donny (Amanda), Tyler (Alyssa), Dillon, and Brock; granddaughters Jody, Kelsey, and Stacey Mead and Rebecca Collier; great grand children Sadie and Emily Mead; sisters Bert (Cliff) Kyle and Elma (Herb) Sharpley; brother-in-law Len (Audrey) Collier; sisters-in-law Grace Watson, Myrna (Ken) Dreger and Gladys Bray; and numerous nieces and nephews. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial contributions in memory of Arlene can be made to Virden Community Arts Council (VCAC) for the Costume Closet. Funeral services will be held at G.R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden Thursday; December 31, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jim Patterson officiating. The interment will be in Bennett Cemetery at a later date. E-mail messages of condolence or sign the on-line Book of Condolences at carscaddenfuneralchapel.com G.R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden in care of arrangements.I’M FREEDon’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,I’m following the path God laid for me.I took His hand when I heard Him call,I turned around and left it all.I could not stay another dayTo laugh, to love, to work or play.Tasks left undone must stay that way,I found peace on Christmas Day.If my parting has left a void,Then fill it with remembered joys.A family shared, a laugh, a kiss,Oh yes, these things too I miss.Be not burdened with times of sorrowI wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored muchGood family, good times, a loved one’s touch.Perhaps my time seemed all too briefDon’t lengthen it with undue grief.Lift up your heart and peace to theeGod wanted me now, He sets me free.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 30, 2009