Marilyn L. Collier

Born on June 19, 1927 in Dallas, Texas to Dr. Edgar Webb and Addie Jane Loomis. She had two sisters, Nellie Jane and Deloise. Her father was one of the first pediatricians in Dallas. She was raised in Dallas and attended Southern Methodist University where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

In 1948 she graduated from SMU with a degree in psychology. After graduation she worked at the original Downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus store as a model in the art department and also worked in the credit department.

On September 2, 1950 she married Dr. Richard E. Collier of Abilene, Texas. They lived in University Park where they raised 2 daughters, Vivian and Barbara. In 2003 they moved to The Edgemere.

Marilyn was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was a member of Ikebana International, Dallas Chapter 13 serving as president from 1986-1988 and from 1992-1993. She was a member of The Association of Oriental Arts, serving as president from 1981-1983. She also loved collecting cookbooks and developed an extensive collection published by various church and junior League organizations.

She and her husband loved to travel. They traveled to Japan where she served as the Dallas Chapter 13 delegate to the Ikebana International Convention.

God blessed Marilyn with a very generous heart. She loved to help others. She loved Dallas and was proud to be a Texan and always looked forward to seeing the Blue Bonnets in bloom. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Dr. Richard E. Collier of Dallas, Texas, daughters; Vivian O’Dell and husband Craig of Beverly Hills, Florida and Barbara Sponberg and husband Ron of Houston, Texas. Marilyn has four grandchildren, Elissa and Phillip O’Dell, Jennifer (Sponberg) Whalen and husband, J.P., and Carolyn Sponberg. She has 2 great-grandchildren, Adam and Claire Whalen. She has three nieces and one nephew, Catherine Johnson and husband Mike, Nell Butler, Elizabeth Tamlyn and husband Ron and Joseph Butler.

A private family memorial service will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home on Monday, May 14, 2012.