Dolores was predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Norman Collins, in 2019, her cherished daughter, Janet Drumm, in 2020, and three of her siblings (Nadine Lueker, Norma McMillan and Ronald Salmans). She is survived by her daughter, Gail Khosla, and her husband Victor, along with their sons Grant, Charles, and Duncan; her son, David Collins, and his wife Tammy, along with their daughter Brooke; her son-in-law, Roger Drumm, and his sons Brian and Michael; her sister, Carol Criss; her sister-in-law, Roberta Shoup; and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Garden City, Kansas on September 8, 1930 and raised on a ranch in Cimarron, Kansas, Dolores was valedictorian of her high school class and studied at Kansas State University, graduating in 1952. During her first week at college, she met Norman at a debate club meeting, beginning a lifelong partnership. They married shortly after graduation and quickly started their lifelong journey that would take them all over the world. Norman's career, initially as a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and later with the Ford Foundation, led them to live over two decades abroad on four different continents. They resided in Naples, Italy; Santiago, Chile; New Delhi, India; and Mexico City, Mexico, as well as five different states before ultimately retiring to their fifty-year home in Greenwich, CT.
Dolores had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, an unquenchable curiosity, and a deep love for different cultures. In every nation she lived in, she became fluent in the local language, fully immersing herself in the culture and community. Her voracious appetite for reading saw her devour countless books on world history, autobiographies, and art and culture, always eager to learn more. Dolores experienced numerous historically significant events firsthand including: the Dust Bowl in western Kansas during the 1930s; the post-war transformation in Naples in the early 1960s; civil unrest in Berkeley, CA in the late 1960s; political turbulence in Chile in the early 1970s before and after Allende's election, yet leaving prior to the military coup; the rapprochement of American-China relations from her seat in Beijing during the early 1970s; and the 1970s State of Emergency in India when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended constitutional rights and governed authoritatively. Dolores relished an exciting life and loved giving her children a front-row seat to world events.
Deeply committed to education, Dolores began her career as a teacher and taught in schools around the world. She also tirelessly advocated for early childhood education and volunteered wherever she lived. Dolores had a unique gift for making a wide assortment of friends; this eclectic group included outspoken Chilean artists Norman helped escape from a military dictatorship, Indian villagers as Norman set up rural agricultural programs, the global expat community, and her Greenwich circle. She loved playing tennis, bridge, and board games; taking long walks, car trips, and exotic travel; and her hobbies of cooking and gardening. Her warmth, humor, and love for her family were her signature qualities–they will be dearly missed.
In her later years, Dolores cherished the time she spent with Norman, her children, and her grandchildren. She loved watching their sports competitions and piano recitals, and hosting birthday parties, Christmas Eve bell-ringing, and family gatherings. The extended family rarely missed a holiday celebration–her customary present of Christmas pajamas were, however, never forgotten–and they loved spending Sunday afternoons together, cheering on the sport of the season. She was, in particular, an ardent Kansas State Wildcat fan.
Dolores Lee Collins leaves behind her dear friends all over the world and a legacy of curiosity, kindness, open-heartedness, and an appreciation for life’s adventures. She was extremely grateful for the companionship and care provided by her longtime caregiver, good friend, and honorary family member, Manana Gilashvili. Their nightly competitive Jeopardy matches were a cherished tradition. Dolores will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A celebration of Dolores’ life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, to honor her joyful spirit, her family asks you to engage in something that brings you joy, and to share that joy with others in your life.
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