Virginia Ann Collier, resident of Dallas, TX, passed away on February 4, 2023, at the age of 83. She was born July 22, 1939, to Sam and Pauline Wolf in San Antonio, TX. She moved to Austin during her early years where she attended Austin High School. Six weeks after a “blind” date, Tom and Virginia were married. The date was November of 1959, Friday the 13th. She loved to say that she was married 59 years, six months and one week.
She started her young life working in a bank, but quickly became pregnant with Kathryn and decided to stay home and raise a family. Four years later she gave birth to Charles Barry,and, four years after that, Donald Joe arrived. She began teaching music when all the kids entered school at St. Bernard’s Catholic School and Bishop Lynch High School. In 1975, she enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas to study music education. Upon completion of her degree she was hired to start the music program in a little town called Allen, TX. She loved her time teaching high school students. Her very favorite time of year was musical season. The musicals were an exciting time for her. She continued her studies at the University of North Texas where she received her Masters in Education. She was also extremely active in TMEA and was the Vocal Chair. That was an honor she always cherished.
Virginia and Tom loved to travel. From Australia to China to Italy to Greece, then on to France, Spain and Belgium. She and Tom were in East Germany, Hungary and Czechoslovakia one month after the wall came down. They toured Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They spent her 60th birthday in Bora Bora. Hawaii and England were their favorite destinations for many years.
The last great adventure undertaken by them was “The Farm”, a 150 year old house with 11 acres that she would garden and can the fruits and vegetables. They later took up permanent residency to enjoy the last years together.
Virginia was very active in organizations at Highland Park United Methodist Church and later at Commerce United Methodist Church. She loved her church family.
As Tom’s health began to deteriorate, she was always by his side. She cared for him until the last two months of his life. She was always his advocate.
Her last years were spent enjoying her grandchildren, Elizabeth Godwin, Michael Bohling, Matthew Collier and John Collier. She would see the great-grandchildren every chance she got. They all brought her much joy.
Services for Virginia will be held at 1pm on Monday, February 20, in Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church. There will be a reception immediately following the service where family will greet friends. Memorial gifts may be made to Outreach Camp Scholarship Fund Highland Park United Methodist Church – hpumc.org/care/memorials
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Collier family.
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