Shirley Rosetta Collins, 75, of Onalaska, Wash., passed away unexpectedly March 30, 2017, at Providence Centralia Hospital, Centralia, Wash.
She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Renggli of Tacoma, Wash.; son, Franklin W. Collins of Tacoma, Wash.; granddaughter, Rashaun D’Ugard of Seattle, Wash.; grandson, Ryan Renggli of Goodyear, Ariz.; brothers, Leon Nanney of Silver Creek, Wash., and Howard Nanney of Morton, Wash.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Frank L. Collins; parents, Luen “Hoot” Nanney and Stella Irene Nanney; and brothers, Larry Nanney and Billy Nanney.
She was born to the late Luen “Hoot” Nanney and Stella Irene Nanney, a millworker and a homemaker respectively, in Birch Tree, Mo., May 9, 1941. Shirley was the only girl and eldest of five siblings. She attended school in the Morton school district. She married her best friend and love of her life, Frank, on Feb. 19, 1957, in Morton, Wash. The couple moved to Tacoma, Wash., where they started a construction business, in which Shirley was the accountant. Over three years, the couple welcomed two children into their home and Shirley set about teaching them compassion, hard work and skills that would forge their eventual careers in carpentry. Her surviving children and grandchildren remember her as a fun loving, generous and patient woman, who encouraged them to pursue their dreams.
From the beginning, she dedicated her life to teaching her children and grandchildren to look for adventure in life and encouraged them to explore the beauty within the world, leading many of them to seek a life of exploration. Shirley herself traveled to over 20 different countries during her time on this earth, including Russia, Spain, Morocco, Austria, Italy and Germany to name a few. During her younger years, she was an accomplished bowler, skilled embroiderer and avid camper. Shirley was a member of both the Puyallup Fraternal Order of Eagles and president of the Glenoma, WA PTA Association. She was a generous individual who was very passionate about changing the world and donated both time and money to various charities throughout her lifetime, including The World Wildlife Federation, Lewis County Humane Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, just to name a few. She was an active and dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Morton, WA, a trustee on the board of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and most recently could be found volunteering at the Morton Senior Center, holding the title of Treasurer for many years. Shirley was a giver at heart. She was kind, soft-spoken and always had time for her family and friends, generously giving, no matter the request. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace and back with her creator and the love of her life.
A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, April 28, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 277 7th St., Morton, WA 98356, followed by a Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. A potluck reception in the Parish Hall after the Funeral Mass. Father Charles Banduku and Deacon Loren E. Lane will officiate the service. The graveside service will be later that day, April 28, 2017, at 3:30 p.m., at Rainey Valley Cemetery, at the intersection of Hwy 12 and Scot Rd., in Glenoma, Wash.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brown Mortuary Service Morton Chapel.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Morton Senior Center, Morton, Wash.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Mortuary Service, 812 Westlake Ave., Morton, WA 98356. 360-496-6234.
Condolences may be offered at www.brownmortuary.com
