Dianne was born on May 26, 1942 in Atlanta, Georgia, daughter of the late Virginia Letteer Rollick and Walter Daniel Rollick, Sr. She attended R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston Salem, NC. There she showcased her talents as a violinist in the NC All-State Orchestra and as a Marching Band Majorette. Following high school graduation, she completed her Nursing degree at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1964. She was married to Dr. Hal Collier and moved to New York and subsequently Atlanta, where they raised their young family together. She completed a master of nursing degree in adult health with a clinical specialty in critical care at Emory University. She then joined the Emory School of Nursing graduate faculty and continued to teach for many years. Her career took an unexpected turn when she became interested in medico-legal issues, left the Emory faculty and became a legal nurse consultant, first at Freeman and Hawkins and then King and Spalding, retiring in 2017.
Dianne was a founding member of The Church of the Apostles. She faithfully supported their ministries in Leading the Way. One of her favorite travel destinations was a wonderful trip to The Holy Land with her church acquaintances, and the high point of the trip was baptism in the Jordan River by The Reverend Michael Youssef. She was also an avid UNC Tarheels Basketball fan. Dianne truly loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She generously arranged a fantastic beach trip for her entire family in Carolina Beach, NC. Her grandchildren especially enjoyed visiting the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Memorial and the Boardwalk while there. She had a tremendous talent for making miniatures and miniature flowers. She frequently attended workshops and completed over 25 ornate room boxes and doll houses, several of which won awards in local competitions. She was also a gardening enthusiast, having researched and planted many varieties of day lilies and constantly attended to her beloved night-blooming cereus plants (family heirlooms passed down to her by her mother) and backyard landscape plantings. She was very active in her neighborhood leadership committee, Church of the Apostles, UNC Alumni Association, and social media groups for collectors of fine cookware and table settings. She was an accomplished chef, well known for her homemade fried chicken, salads, soups, and holiday meals. Dianne was also an animal lover, appreciating family pets during her entire life. She gave a loving home to many rescued dogs, cats, and rabbits during her lifetime.
Dianne is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Letteer Rollick and Walter Daniel Rollick, Sr.; her two brothers, Carlton Dennis Rollick and Walter Daniel Rollick, Jr.; and her ex-husband Hal Franklin Collier, Sr. She is survived by her sister, Melissa Rollick Lawrimore (Garry) and their children and grandchildren, Fayetteville, GA; daughter, Lisa Collier Nilsen (Steve), Jefferson, GA; daughter, Lauren Collier Hyams (Keith), Marietta, GA; son, Hal Franklin Collier (Julia), Lawrenceville, GA; and her grandchildren: Lindsey Nicole Nilsen, Matthew Steven Nilsen, Connor Collier Hyams, Carter Thomas Hyams, and Hope MeiLani Collier. Dianne’s grandchildren all knew her as GaMa, and they always looked forward to celebrating holidays with her. She especially loved Easter and Christmas, always making the holiday’s true meaning shine through in addition to making the best Easter baskets, Christmas stockings, and excellent meals for her family. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend to so many. She was a perfect example of someone who maintained the proper balance in her life among spiritual matters, family, work, and leisure. She will be greatly missed.
The family plans a private Celebration of Life to be held at the Church of the Apostles. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice or to Leading the Way Ministries. The arrangements are entrusted to H.M. Patterson and Son – Arlington Chapel.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5