Dorothy Collier

Dorothy Collier loved to be surrounded by her family. A devoted mother and grandmother, she took great pleasure in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a true “people person” with empathy and concern for others. Her great passion for life was expressed through her love of reading, her ongoing thirst for knowledge and her wonderful sense of humor. Many a gathering was enlivened by her presence.

Kalamazoo in the year 1919 was a bustling community. Men drove sporty Kalamazoo cars and women wore its Puritan and Madame Grace corsets. Children rode Kalamazoo sleds in the winter and wore “Hip-Zip” knickers in the summer. And everyone played the new game “Flinch” on Kalamazoo-made cards. It was a good place to raise a family. Claude C. and Agnes (McMorrow) Weathers lived on Lake Street in Kalamazoo, where Claude worked as a pharmacist. In 1919 they were expecting the birth of their third child. To their delight, daughter Dorothy was born on June 2, 1919. Sadly, Claude died at the age of 37 from pneumonia shortly before the birth of their fourth child. This left Agnes to raise and support Mary (Nonie), Claude, Dorothy and Eleanor, which she did. She ran a food stand next to the paper mill which her children helped her with for several years.

Dorothy spent most of her childhood in the house on Lake Street. She attended St. Joseph Elementary school, and when not working on her studies, played games like “Jacks” with her siblings. Growing up in the Depression made life somewhat difficult but the family always found ways to have fun.

Dorothy went on to St. Augustine High School and excelled in her studies. She knew the value of a good education. While in high school Dorothy performed in several school plays and found the time to work at Gilmore’s Department Store. She graduated from St. Augustine’s in 1937 and continued to work at Gilmore’s. From there she moved on to work in the office of Lockshore Dairy. It was here that she met a handsome milkman named Roy Collier. Roy was seven years older than Dorothy and they got to know each other by going out with groups of friends. Their friendship turned to love and the couple was married on September 9, 1939 at St. Joseph Church.

The newlyweds started their life together in an apartment on Ada St. In 1941, they moved into their new home in Milwood where Dorothy still lived. Unfortunately, the country was entering the initial phases of World War II and Roy was drafted into the Army Air Corps. Dorothy stayed in the new house alone for a few months and then decided to join Roy where he was stationed, in Newberg, New York. For the next 3+ years, Roy was stationed in New York and Texas, and after his discharge, he and Dorothy returned to Kalamazoo and their home in Milwood. They were now ready to start a family. Dorothy had some problems with her early pregnancies but in 1946 they were overjoyed when son Larry was born. Cherishing this new baby, Dorothy stayed home while Roy went back to Lockshore Farms. From there he went to work for a local industrial company and in the early 1950’s bought a restaurant on Portage St. They called it “Collier’s Grill”.

The family continued to grow with the arrivals of Ellen, Colleen, and Kathleen. Dorothy loved being home with her family. She was a wonderful homemaker and an excellent cook. Having grown up during the Depression, she was very good at making the most of what she had. In 1959, her beloved Roy died, leaving Dorothy with four children to raise. This she did, with excellent results. She worked at the Upjohn Company for over 20 years. They would take summer vacations to Northern Michigan, Niagara Falls, Cumberland Mountains, Canada, or rent a cottage at a nearby lake. She also made sure the children had a good catholic education. All four soon learned to appreciate the simple things in life.

In spite of being busy raising her family, Dorothy found time to have many outside interests. She liked to play bridge and poker and a favorite family game was a card game called “Pedro” that she and the children would play together. She was an avid reader, especially liking series of books that traced the histories of families as they settled in the United States. She was somewhat of a political “junkie”, a staunch Democrat, and never missed an election. She was an avid Notre Dame football fan, and would enthusiastically cheer them on when watching the games on television. She had a wonderful sense of humor that she shared in many ways. One was the quotes that she collected in a book and often used in her conversations. Another was the cartoons that she would cut out and insert in birthday cards. They were always appropriate for the person receiving the card.

Perhaps the greatest joy of Dorothy’s life was her grandchildren. With eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, she had plenty to keep her busy. She took an acute interest in their lives and always tried to attend any local activities. They were a talented group and Dorothy often bragged to her friends about their many achievements.

Dorothy Collier will be remembered as a cheerful, outgoing person with a keen interest in people and the events in the world around her. The sound of her laughter is woven into her family’s happiest memories. She will be greatly missed by all.

Dorothy Collier, age 85 of Kalamazoo, died September 23, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy L. Collier in 1959 (former restaurant owner in Kalamazoo), a sister Mary (Nonie) Clark, a brother Claude R. Weathers and by a son-in-law Robert “Terry” VanSickle. Members of Dorothy’s family include four children: Larry E. (Betty) Collier of Kalamazoo, Ellen A. (John) Muller of Fremont, CA, Colleen S. VanSickle of Kalamazoo, Kathleen M. (Tim) England of Ft. Wayne, IN, eight grandchildren: Michael (Lisa) Collier, Michelle (Scott) Triemstra and Jennifer Collier, Kathleen (Jason) Sage, and John Charles Muller, Elizabeth (Dan) Grow, Eric VanSickle and Andrew Collier England, two great grandchildren: Michaela and Michael Alexander, a sister Eleanor Phillips of Portage; six nephews: R. Jon, James and Jerome Phillips and Kevin, David and Mark Weathers.

Learn more about Dorothy, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Friday, October 1st, from 6-8 p.m. at the BETZLER LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOME, Stadium Drive (West of US-131). The family will meet Saturday, October 2nd, 9:00a.m. at the Funeral Home, then proceed to Mt. Olivet Cemetery for a 10:00 a.m. interment, friends are welcomed to accompany the family. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared in the School Gymnasium. Please visit Dorothy’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a favorite memory, or make a memorial donation to St. Joseph Church Educational Fund.