ROSE MARIE COLLINS

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ROSE MARIE COLLINS Rose Collins, dearly beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died Saturday, September 22, 2001, after a very long and courageous fight with cancer. Rose was born in the Point Douglas area of Winnipeg on July 26, 1921. She was educated at Stella Mission, and Norquay School; married her childhood sweetheart Jim in 1942 and with him, raised three children. She worked for Eatons for 27 years in the Ladies Shoe Department, in Staff Training and as Personnel Manager of the Polo Park store. After her retirement in 1982, she volunteered her time and skills in a number of organizations...she read text books at The Canadian National Institute for the Blind; sat on the board of the Whiteshell Cottage Association and edited the Around the Lakes column of the Whiteshell Echo; she was a founding member of the Eaton Retirement Club and was membership co-ordinator of ERC for many years. She assisted in a remedial reading program with the Grade three students at Neil Campbell School. Rose was an organizer, an instigator, a take-charge sort of person. If a volunteer was needed, she was the first to step up. She was never hesitant to voice an opinion or to lend a hand. She loved the cottage at Otter Falls and spent as much time as she could there. She was often to be seen rowing her little boat "The Rosey" around the shoreline. She enjoyed gardening and reading and made, to the bemusement of her grandchildren, many large misshapen knitted objects. She never did have the patience to get the tension right. Grandma Rose especially loved taking her own or her honorary grandchildren to the museum and to symphony concerts and enjoyed attending various events at their schools. She kept an open mind and was vital to the end. Rose was predeceased by her parents, Anna and George Prystanski; her brothers, Joseph and John; and her beloved husband of 52 years, Jim. A bit of the heart went out of her with his death in 1995. She is survived by her sister and close companion Olga; by her children, Diane (Barry) McLaren of Delta, BC, Dawne (Jim) Kepron, James (Valerie) Collins, all of Winnipeg; and her grandchildren, Andrea and Kathy McLaren, Christopher (Emma), Charis, and Zoe Kepron, and Kyle (Dorota) Collins. She was anticipating the birth of her first great-grandchild in October. Also left to mourn her passing are brother-in-law Bernie Kowalski; and sisters-in-law, Ethyl Peterson, Molly Prystanski, and Alison Singer; as well as many nieces, nephews, dear friends, and good neighbours. Flowers are gratefully declined. A donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or to your favourite charity would be greatly appreciated. Honorary pallbearers will be the remaining members of the "Black Cat Club"...Roses oldest and dearest friends...Margaret Haresign, Marion Laxer, Betty McLennan, Vicki Mutter, and Astor Pullon. The family wish to thank Roses homecare support staff, special thanks to her nurse Pam, the medical staff at Concordia Hospital, and all the staff at 3E Riverview Health Centre. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the Glen Eden Reception Centre. Interment has taken place in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN ST. 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 25, 2001