Obituary of Verna Collins

Verna Margaret Collins (nee Shepley), 84, of Markham, Ontario, passed away at Southlake Regional Hospital on Monday January 7, 2013, with family by her side. Born April 20, 1928 in Boharm, Saskatchewan, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Carmen Shepley and Catherine Ellis. Marg is survived by her brother Charles Kenneth Shepley, and his wife Anne Marie, of Wasaga Beach, ON; her four children, Donna Catherine Collins and her husband Ian Robertson, of Winnipeg, MB; Glenn Allan Collins and his wife, Sylvie Tremblay of Stouffville, ON; Patricia Ann Collins, and her partner Alan Bird, of Ashton, ON; and Gail Margaret Collins, of Markham, ON; as well as her six grandchildren, Heather, Bryan, Karyn, Justin, Zackary, and Zoe, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Harold (Hal) Thomas Collins, in 2004, her brother John "Jack" Ellis Shepley in 1998, her sister Ilene Catherine Ridley in 2011, and her sister Lynda Ann Yestrau in 2012. Marg grew up on a small farm outside of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where she developed her love for animals (especially horses), learned to appreciate nature and the great outdoors, and honed her amazing internal strength and ability to work hard, pitching in no matter what the task. Marg always thought of others before herself, and we will miss her regular selfless comment "Don't worry about me. I will be fine". Marg married in 1951 and relocated to Scarborough, Ontario, where she and Hal started their family. In 1964 the family moved to Markham, where Marg was an active community member and lived out the rest of her life. Marg became an avid golfer, and is a former member of Whitevale Golf and Country Club. She was a wonderful artist and excellent cook, and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Marg will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. The children would like to thank the staff at the Southlake Regional Hospital in both the Palliative Care and the Intensive Cardiac Care units for their exceptional care and attention to our mother. Services will be conducted on Jan 14, 2013 at 1 PM at the DIXON-GARLAND FUNERAL HOME, 166 Main Street N. (Markham Road) Markham, ON. The family will receive friends Jan 13, from 2 to 4, and from 7 to 9 at the funeral home. If preferred, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Markham Stouffville Hospital, or to a charity of your choosing.