Collette Collins

Collette was born December 5, 1922 in Portland, Oregon and she had one older sister, Catherine Milich. Her father was a pharmacist in his own drug store. Collette worked at the pharmacy soda fountain while she was in high school.
She met her husband, Vern Collins, in Portland and they were married in 1944. Being very family oriented, Collettes parents, Vern, Collette and their first daughter followed her sister Catherine and husband George to California in 1948 and bought a home in Lakewood. They had 3 more daughters and lived in that home for 55 years. Collette stayed home to raise their family until she went to work in 1960 and retired in the 1980’s. Vern and Collette were both very active at their church, St Cyprian’s. Vern was a member of Knights of Columbus and Collette was a member of the Young Ladies Institute.
Vern and Collette loved to go on trips, traveling most of the United States and taking cruises with many of the friends they had.
In 2009, as age and health became an issue, Vern and Collette sold their house in Lakewood and moved to Apple Valley, California to be near to their daughters. In the years after Vern passed away in 2012, Collette spent her time playing bridge with friends 2-3 times a week and weekly Bingo games at the clubhouse and the senior center. Nothing made her happier than to yell “Bingo”.
Collette passed away February 2, 2017, in their home overlooking the golf course and lake.
She was preceded in death by her husband Vern, her youngest daughter Vivian and two son-in-laws, Lee Hall and Gary Tabak.
She is survived by 3 daughters, 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 son-in-laws.
Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401